PREOPERATIVE EMBOLIZATION OF CERVICAL-SPINE TUMORS

Purpose: To assess the technical success rate, complications, and effe ct on intraoperative-blood loss of preoperative transarterial emboliza tion of cervical spine tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was p erformed on 38 patients with tumors of the cervical spine; 69 vertebra e were affected. Polyvinyl alcohol particles, coils, gelfoam particles , either alone or in combination, were used for preoperative tumor emb olization, After embolization a total of 57 corporectomies with titani um basket implantation were performed. Results: In 36 of 38 patients, complete (n = 27) or partial (n = 9) embolization was achieved, In 23 patients one vertebral artery was completely occluded by coil placemen t, and in one patient the ipsilateral internal and external carotid ar teries were occluded in addition. No neurological complications could be directly related to the embolization, but two postoperative brain s tem infarctions occurred. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 2.4 L . Conclusion: Transarterial embolization of cervical spine tumors is a safe and effective procedure to facilitate extensive surgery.