EMBOLIZATION OF BONE METASTASES

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and clinical usefulness of transc atheter embolization of bone metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pro cedures and outcome of 61 transcatheter embolization procedures perfor med in 51 patients with hypervascular skeletal metastases were retrosp ectively evaluated. Results from computed tomography, magnetic resonan ce imaging, and diagnostic angiography, performed before and after emb olization, were reviewed. RESULTS: All embolizations were technically and clinically successful. Major blood loss during surgery was prevent ed in 32 cases; the size of viable tumor tissue in large, unresectable bone metastases was reduced before radiation or chemotherapy in 17 ca ses; and otherwise untreatable skeletal pain was decreased in 11 cases . Heavy bleeding from a metastasis was controlled in one case. The com plications were temporary paresis of a lower extremity in three patien ts, cardiac arrest in one patient, and unintentional embolization of s ynthetic tissue adhesive in one patient. Median survival time was 28 m onths (range, 3-59 months). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter embolization is effective and reliable in the treatment of bone metastases.