INTERVENTIONAL THERAPY FOR PRIMARY AND SE CONDARY TUMORS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Therapeutic interventions in the skeletal system a re an essential par t of interventional radiology. Although in terms of figures these proc edures are applied less frequently, they are very effective. Percutane ous transarterial embolization of a spinal tumor is well-established i nterventional treatment. It is primary treatment for preoperative deva scularization, but also for palliation of pain and for reduction of tu mor volume. As an alternative access for embolization, direct percutan eous puncture of a vertebra is used, A new and promising technique is vertebroplasty, the percutaneous injection of acrylic surgical cement in destroyed vertebrae. The present paper discusses indications,techni que, results and complications of these interventional therapeutic mod alities in the treatment of primary and secondary spinal tumors.