Abstract 5P
Background
Vertebral hemangiomas are benign, highly vascular lesions of the vertebra. Asymptomatic hemangiomas are common, but they rarely enlarge in size and present with myelopathy. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term outcome of patients of vertebral hemangioma presenting with myelopathy who were managed in a resource-constrained environment, the majority of whom were treated by our novel three-pronged strategy of alcohol injection, posterior decompression, and short segment fixation.
Methods
All patients of symptomatic vertebral hemangioma with myelopathy treated at our hospital from 2001 to 2015 with follow up till January 2018, with at least 2 years follow up were included. The operative procedure, blood loss and complications were recorded. Clinical outcomes were measured using ASIA score.
Results
Out of 60 patients operated, 44 (26 males, 18 females) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 41 hemangiomas were located in the thoracic spine two in lumbar spine and one in cervical spine. Upper thoracic spine involvement was more common than lower thoracic spine involvement. Mean age was 29.34 years (range 10 - 68 years). Mean follow up was 74.63 months (range 24 - 180 months). All patients had improvement in motor strength postoperatively. Local pain, which was present in two patients resolved, bladder symptoms present in 13 patients also resolved.
Conclusions
Our experience in treating symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas, along with the long term follow up data suggests that good postoperative results can be achieved with minimal complications, in carefully selected patients.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.