Vertebral Hemangiomas: Yucesoy-Yilmaz Classification System with Corresponding Therapeutic Options

Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are relatively common, symptomatic benign tumors of the spine with a reported estimated incidence up to 11%. They usually appear in the body of the vertebrae; however, they can extend into pedicles, laminae, and epidural space. They may cause pain, neurologic deficits. and fractures.

In this retrospective, single-center study, we reviewed our cases with VH and we propose the novel classification system that evaluates these lesions per their views on magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings under 4 main categories.

Our novel classification system proposes that grade I lesions occupy less than 50% of the vertebral body, whereas grade II lesions occupy more than 50% and grade III lesions occupy the whole corpus. Grade IV lesions show an epidural and pedicular extension. We propose that grade I lesions may not be worthwhile for follow-up, whereas asymptomatic grade II (a) lesions to be worthy for a biannual imaging and symptomatic thoracolumbar grade II (b) and thoracolumbar grade III lesions to be considered for percutaneous vertebroplasty. We imply that decompression, posterior spinal instrumentation, and open vertebroplasty may be performed for thoracolumbar grade IV lesions. We further consider cervical grade IIb, III, and grade IV lesions as operable because of the disadvantages of percutaneous vertebroplasty.

We suggest that our novel classification system may be useful for the determination of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the management of VH. Further multicentric trials on larger series are warranted to validate this system and popularize its utility in larger populations.