Relief of Spinal Cord Compression from Vertebral Hemangioma by Intralesional Injection of Absolute Ethanol

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Abstract
Vertebral hemangiomas are relatively common abnormalities. They have been found in 10.7 percent of spines at autopsy and in 14.2 percent of people over the age of 60 years1. However, neurologic symptoms, which result from epidural compression of the spinal cord by the hemangioma, hypertrophied bone, epidural hemorrhage, or compression fracture, are uncommon2,3. Current treatments for symptomatic vertebral hemangioma include surgery, radiotherapy, and transarterial embolization4. Surgical treatment is often associated with profuse hemorrhage, incomplete resection, and lengthy convalescence5-7. Although radiotherapy is moderately effective, its effects on the hemangioma are delayed, and there is a risk of radionecrosis of the spinal cord8-11. Transarterial particulate embolization occludes feeding vessels but does not permanently obliterate the hemangioma3,12-15.