title: Radiotherapy for symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas: results of a multicenter study and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study analyzes the potential role of radiotherapy (RT) in symptomatic vertebral hemangioma (SVH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven cooperating German institutions collected clinical information, treatment plans, and outcome data for all patients with SVH referred for local RT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1969 to 2008, a total of 84 patients with 96 symptomatic lesions were irradiated for SVH. The primary indication for radiotherapy was pain (97.6%), and 28.6% of patients had additional neurological symptoms. RT was performed at a median total dose of 34 Gy, with a median single dose of 2.0 Gy. After receiving a median follow-up of 68 months, the overall patient response rate was 90.5%. Complete symptom remission occurred in 61.9% of patients, 28.6% of patients had partial pain relief, and 9.5% of patients had no pain relief. In 26.2% of patients, radiological signs of reossification were observed in long-term follow-up but not significantly correlated with pain relief. Most importantly, total doses of >/=34 Gy resulted in significantly greater symptomatic relief and control rate than total doses of <34 Gy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study consists of the largest database of cases reported so far using RT for SVH. RT is easy, safe, and effective for pain relief treatment for SVH. Total doses of at least 34 Gy give the best symptomatic response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Offenbach Hospital, Offenbach, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heyd
authors.forename: M Heinrich
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Seegenschmiedt
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Hans T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Eich
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gosheger
authors.forename: Normann
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Willich
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Micke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001846:Bone Development / Q000528:radiation effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult