RESUMEN
Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous alcohol embolization(PAE) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) for aggressive vertebral haemangiomas (AVHs) with epidural extension.Methods The data of 26 consecutive patients underwent PAE combined with PVP for the treatment of AVHs with epidural extension from October 2013 to November 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.The average follow-up time was (12.21 ± 1.34) months.The pain symptom before and after surgery were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).Results Pre-procedure mean VAS score was (7.23 ± 1.3) and the postoperative VAS score was (3.11 ± 1.9) at last follow-up.Ten patients (38.5％) remained asymptomatic.Eighty-eight percent of the patients with neurosensory disorders had complete regression of these symptoms.Two of the three patients with motor deficit did not show any improvement.No major complication was recorded.Conclusion PAE combined with PVP is a minimally invasive safe and effective therapeutic approach for AVH with epidural extension.This technique appears mainly effective for pain and neurosensory symptoms,but seems less effective for motor deficit relief.