Innovative Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures for Bone Tumors
updated 12/30/06
Embolization Techniques for Bone Tumors
Giant cell tumor may be found in the sacrum, and in this location conventional surgical techniques are limited by the proximity of the spinal cord, the bowel, the sacral venous plexus, and other anatomic structures.
Sacral giant cell tumors can present as enormous masses and even the best treatment can leave the patient with multiple functional defects as well as a high risk of recurrence. Arterial embolization of these tumors is a new technique whereby the blood supply of the tumor is blocked by injection of steel coils, gelfoam, and polyvinyl alcohol into the arteries that feed the tumor.
In some cases the symptoms from the tumor began going away rapidly. Tumor growth may be stopped, and further bone destruction is prevented. Some treated tumors progress despite treatment and are then addressed with conventional surgery, radiation, or both.
In the sacrum and possible in other sites where conventional treatments for giant cell tumor may create serious morbidity, this technique represents a significant advance.
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