• L Hrabálek, M Starý, S Rosík, and T Wanek.
• Neurochirurgická klinika FN a LF UP Olomouc. lumir.hrabalek@seznam.cz
• Rozhl Chir. 2011 May 1; 90 (5): 264-9.

Introduction And AimVertebral hemangiomas (VH) are usually asymptomatic and, therefore, are commonly detected as accidental findings on spinal imaging. No treatment is indicated in these cases. Nevertheless, some hemangiomas may clinically manifest as axial pain and neurological deficit and may require surgery or other treatment. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of surgical management of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas at two neurosurgical clinics.Material And MethodsProspective study of patients with symtomatic vertebral hemangioma managed surgically at Neurosurgical Clinic of Faculty Hospital and Medical Faculty (FN and LF UP) of Palacky University in Olomouc and at Neurosurgical Department of Ostrava-Fifejdy Hospital. Surgery was indicated in patients with confirmed thoracic and lumbar vertebral hemangioma, presenting with axial, eventually with radicular pain and/or neurological deficit, such as myelopathy or radicular lesion. In cases where the only basis for indication for surgery was axial lumbar pain, the procedure included only vertebroplasty (VP) of the vertebral body (Vertecem, Synthes, USA). In cases with neurological dysfunction, posterior decompression using hemilaminectomy with extirpation of hemangioma tissue protruding into the spinal canal, as well as vertebroplasty, was indicated. During the 13-month study period, 7 patients aged from 38 to 80 years (the mean age of 60.3 years) were operated. The subjects included 4 males and 3 females. Follow up examinations were performed during hospitalization, at 6 weeks and at 6 months after the procedure. On the last follow up examination, the patients were asked to assess axial and radicular pain based on the VAS scale, ODI and the surgeons evaluated the degree of myelopathy according to Frankel and JOA classification.ResultsVertebroplasty had positive impact on the degree of axial and radicular pain in all subjects (seven patients) and combination of VP with decompression resulted in improvement of myelopathic symptoms in all the subjects concerned (three patients). No spinal canal cement leak or embolization during VP was recorded, neither surgical wound healing complications, such as hematoma or infection, were recorded. No surgical revisions were required.DiscussionThe aim of symptomatic vertebral hemangioma therapy include nervous tissue decompression, spinal stabilization and prevention of spontaneous or traumatic epidural bleeding. Nervous tissue decompression using laminectomy or hemilamine- ctomy can be indicated only in patients developing severe paraparesis and may have good outcome. It is advisable to combine decompression with vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty, arterial embolization or intralesional alcohol injection.ConclusionVertebroplasty resulted in pain score improvement in all patients with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas. Combinations of vertebroplasty and decompression had positive impact on myelopathic symptoms in all the patients concerned.

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