EMBOLIZATION FOR BONE METASTASES

Eighteen patients (11 renal tumours, 3 bronchogenic carcinomas, 4 othe rs) with 24 different bone metastases were embolized for preoperative devascularization (11 x) or for intractable pain (7 x). Metastases wer e localized in the spine (17 x), pelvis (5 x), and shoulder girdle (2 x). All metastases were hypervascularized. Post-embolization showed no complications. Intraoperative blood loss was minimized to 2100 ml (60 0 ml-4200 ml). Pain relief was achieved in 6 out of 7 patients. Eight of 18 patients died as a result of underlying diseases (follow-up 7 mo nths).