open access

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2011-04-19
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Surgical treatment of symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas

Roman Jankowski1, Stanisław Nowak1, Ryszard Zukiel1, Janusz Szymaś2, Bartosz Sokół1
DOI: 10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60125-0
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(6):577-582.
Affiliations
  1. Katedra i Klinika Neurochirurgii i Neurotraumatologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
  2. Pracownia Patomorfologii Neurochirurgicznej, Katedra Patomorfologii Klinicznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu

open access

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2011-04-19

Abstract

Background and purpose

Vertebral haemangiomas are relatively common, benign vascular lesions; symptomatic ones that cause spinal cord compression are rare, however. Only 0.9–1.2% of all vertebral haemangiomas are symptomatic. The aim of the paper is to present indications, operative techniques and stabilization methods in patients with symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas.

Material and methods

Clinical analysis included 7 patients treated between 1995 and 2007. There were 4 females and 3 males, aged 24 to 63 yrs (average age 44 yrs). Symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas were diagnosed on the basis of neuroradiological studies. Surgery was applied in all cases. Implantation of internal stabilization followed vertebral haemangioma resection.

Results

Localization of vertebral haemangiomas included 1 case in the cervical, 5 cases in the thoracic and 1 case in the lumbar segment of the vertebral column. Symptoms of medulla compression were observed in 7 patients. Neurological symptoms were caused usually by hypertrophy or ballooning of the posterior cortex of the vertebral body into the vertebral canal. The anterior surgical approach was carried out in 2 cases, posterolateral in 3 cases and posterior in 2 cases. Spinal stability was secured by various implant systems and autogenic bone grafts. Bone defects in the vertebral body were filled with acrylic cement in 4 patients. In histological examinations, cavernous types were found in all patients. Neurological condition improved after the treatment in 5 patients.

Conclusions

No standard therapy exists for symptomatic thoracic vertebral haemangiomas. However, immediate surgical intervention is necessary in cases with acute compressive myelopathy before the symptoms become irreversible.

Abstract

Background and purpose

Vertebral haemangiomas are relatively common, benign vascular lesions; symptomatic ones that cause spinal cord compression are rare, however. Only 0.9–1.2% of all vertebral haemangiomas are symptomatic. The aim of the paper is to present indications, operative techniques and stabilization methods in patients with symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas.

Material and methods

Clinical analysis included 7 patients treated between 1995 and 2007. There were 4 females and 3 males, aged 24 to 63 yrs (average age 44 yrs). Symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas were diagnosed on the basis of neuroradiological studies. Surgery was applied in all cases. Implantation of internal stabilization followed vertebral haemangioma resection.

Results

Localization of vertebral haemangiomas included 1 case in the cervical, 5 cases in the thoracic and 1 case in the lumbar segment of the vertebral column. Symptoms of medulla compression were observed in 7 patients. Neurological symptoms were caused usually by hypertrophy or ballooning of the posterior cortex of the vertebral body into the vertebral canal. The anterior surgical approach was carried out in 2 cases, posterolateral in 3 cases and posterior in 2 cases. Spinal stability was secured by various implant systems and autogenic bone grafts. Bone defects in the vertebral body were filled with acrylic cement in 4 patients. In histological examinations, cavernous types were found in all patients. Neurological condition improved after the treatment in 5 patients.

Conclusions

No standard therapy exists for symptomatic thoracic vertebral haemangiomas. However, immediate surgical intervention is necessary in cases with acute compressive myelopathy before the symptoms become irreversible.

Get Citation

Keywords

haemangioma, spine, surgery

About this article
Title

Surgical treatment of symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)

Pages

577-582

Page views

313

Article views/downloads

1192

DOI

10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60125-0

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(6):577-582.

Keywords

haemangioma
spine
surgery

Authors

Roman Jankowski
Stanisław Nowak
Ryszard Zukiel
Janusz Szymaś
Bartosz Sokół

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