Corpectomy and stabilization with methylmethacrylate in patients with metastatic disease of the spine: a technical note.

Corpectomy with methylmethacrylate reconstruction and stabilization in patients with metastatic disease of the spine has been performed for several years. Stainless steel Steinmann pins or K-wires are commonly used to facilitate fixation of the acrylic to the vertebral bodies above and below the resection site. The use of these ferromagnetic substances precludes the optimal use of magnetic resonance imaging in the postoperative period. We now report the use of commercially available titanium screws in conjunction with the methylmethacrylate to eliminate this problem and provide for improved postoperative imaging.