Purpose: Assessment of treatment results of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas and review of the literature (Table 3).
Patients and methods: Ten patients treated between 1974 to 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. Efficacy of treatment was determined according to improvement of pain and/or neurological symptoms (Table 1).
Results: Improvement was achieved in 8 of 10 patients. The initially existing neurological symptoms of 3 patients disappeared completely in 2 cases and improved in 1 case. Acute side effects were slight. Late side effects were not seen. A dose-effect relationship could not be assessed. There was no relapse.
Conclusion: Radiotherapy with 30 Gy for symptomatic vertebral angioma as primary therapy is indicated. In case of neurological symptoms a radiotherapy after operative therapy is recommendable even if the patient is free of symptoms to prevent progress or relapse.