Progression of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas during pregnancy: Three case reports and literature review

We report 3 cases of aggressive VH in women who developed progressive neurological deficits during pregnancy among 95 patients treated for aggressive VH in our hospital in the past 15 years. Diagnoses and Interventions: All 3 patients experienced progressive deterioration of neurological function and pain at 13, 28, and 41 weeks’ gestation. On radiological examination, VHs were the suspected radiological diagnoses in 2 patients; 1 patient was preoperatively misdiagnosed with a spinal metastatic tumor. All 3 patients underwent decompression surgery with intraoperative vertebroplasty and/or postoperative radiotherapy. The pathological diagnosis after surgery was all hemangiomas. Outcomes: In all 3 patients, there were no tumor recurrences, and neurological functions remained normal at the last follow-up of 75, 38, and 15 months after the treatment, respectively. Lessons: Pregnancy might lead to the onset of aggressive VHs. The diagnosis and treatment of VHs during pregnancy remain controversial due to concern for both maternal and fetal safety. Timely surgery could preserve neurological function. Decompression surgery by laminectomy followed by adjuvant therapies require less skill and have a shorter surgery time, and can be considered more appropriate for aggressive VHs with pregnancy.
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Clinical Case Report Source Type: research