EMBOLIZATION AS TREATMENT FOR SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION FROM RENAL-CELLCARCINOMA - CASE-REPORT

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma may involve the vertebrae, resulting in acute spinal cord compression. Embolizatio n has been used to reduce operative blood loss during surgical decompr ession, but it has not been considered as an alternative that may elim inate the need for open debulking. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A case is pr esented of a 30-year-old woman with renal cell carcinoma who developed increasing severe back pain, lower extremity weakness, and sensory lo ss. Magnetic resonance evaluation revealed a T5 metastasis, resulting in significant spinal cord compression. INTERVENTION: Transarterial em bolization was performed with polyvinyl alcohol particles and platinum microcoils. One month after embolization, the patient's lower extremi ty strength and sensation had improved, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a dramatic response with a significant reduction of cord compression. She deteriorated again 4 months later, and a new sacral mass was embolized. She again improved after treatment. CONCLUSION: Th is report illustrates that embolization may be used as palliative trea tment for spinal cord compression and obviate the need for open surgic al decompression.