INJECTION OF ALCOHOL INTO BONE METASTASES UNDER CT GUIDANCE

Objective: Percutaneous injection of ethanol was evaluated in terminal ly ill cancer patients with painful osteolytic bone metastases treated previously without success by radiation or chemotherapy and conventio nal pain therapy. Methods and Materials: Twenty-five patients with 27 bone metastases in various locations underwent one to three instillati ons of 3-25 mi ethanol (95%) under CT guidance, which allowed precise needle positioning and control of the diffusion of alcohol thus minimi zing the complications. Results: Within 24 to 48 h 74% of the cases ex perienced a reduction of analgesic needs. Conclusion: Percutaneous eth anol injection under CT guidance is useful in reducing pain and in imp roving the quality of life of patients with advanced stages of cancer and painful bone metastases.