[Features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases].
OBJECTIVE
To study the features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with spinal metastasis received transarterial infusion and embolization between March 2001 and June 2008. The inclusion criteria were: The metastatic lesion caused back pain; The metastatic lesion involved vertebra at or below T3 level. There were 29 males and 12 females with a mean age of 56.0 (33 - 71) years. Epirubicin was used as the chemotherapeutic agent. Lipoid Ultra-Fluid, Contour SE or gelfoam particles were used as embolitic material.


RESULTS
The technical success of therapy was achieved in 52 vertebrae (100%) including 14 thoracic, 35 lumbar and 3 sacral vertebrae. 105 arteries were used for infusion and embolization (16 intercostal arteries, 78 lumbar arteries, 4 iliolumbar arteries, 4 branches of iliac arteries, and 3 median sacral arteries). Lipoid Ultra-Fluid (2 - 8 ml) was used in 15, Contour SE (300 approximately 500 microm, 20 - 100 mg) in 20, and gelfoam particles in 33 arteries. Three days after treatment, complete pain relief (CR) was achieved in 17 patients, partial pain relief (PR) in 20, and moderate pain relief (MR) in 4, with an effective rate of 90.2%. Two weeks after treatment, CR was achieved in 17 patients, PR in 21, and MR in 3, with an effective rate of 92.7%. No adverse nervous system effect occurred. 16 patients developed swelling and pain of normal tissues which were alleviated after symptomatic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Transarterial infusion and embolization is an effective therapy in relieving pain resulting from spinal metastases.
Chen
Yi
Y
Department of Radiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Yan
Zhi-ping
ZP
Wang
Jian-hua
JH
Wang
Xiao-lin
XL
Chen
Jie-min
JM
Gong
Gao-quan
GQ
Liu
Qing-xin
QX
Qian
Shen
S
Luo
Jian-jun
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015251:Epirubicin; D007459:Iodized Oil