Case report: Extended Isolated Stopflow Limb Infusion (EISLI) for highly malignant osteosarcoma - complete pathological tumor remission and implantation of a knee joint prosthesis

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: An 18-year old osteosarcoma patient with a huge tumor mass at the distal femur and inguinal metastases was treated with the intention to preserve the leg and additionally treat the pelvic metastases locally. Therefore we modulated the technique of isolated limb perfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: Isolated Limb Perfusion was performed as an Extended Isolated Limb Stop-Flow Infusion (EISLI) where the pelvis was included into the perfusion bed. Balloon catheters were placed in the arterial and venous bifurcation in the pelvis. For increasing the drug concentration at the tumor site, an angiographic catheter was placed arterially with the tip right in front of the tumor region. A Stop-Flow phase before the perfusion phase was applied. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: After 4 cycles of EISLI the lesions in the pelvis disappeared and surgical resection of the tumor and implantation of an endoprosthesis was possible and successful. Histopathological findings showed no vital cells in the resected tumor region. Currently the patient is tumor free and does not show recurrence or pulmonal metastases for 18 months after the last induction treatment cycle. CONCLUSION: With EISLI the inclusion of the pelvis is possible during isolated limb perfusion. In addition with low total dosages EISLI enabled drug concentrations many times higher at the tumor site than possible during systemic chemotherapy or standard isolated limb perfusion. It is a technique that allows limb preservation and treatment of positive lymphnodes in the groin. Quality of life is maintained during the Regional Chemotherapy (RCT).