PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating spinal metastases that result in pain or instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (20 men, 17 women; aged 33-86 years) underwent 52 percutaneous injections of surgical cement into a vertebra (vertebroplasty) with fluoroscopic guidance in 40 procedures. Vertebroplasty was performed for analgesia in 29 procedures, stabilization of the vertebral column in five procedures, and both in six procedures. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 33 procedures performed for analgesia that were evaluated resulted in clear improvement; seven, moderate improvement; and two, no improvement. Improvement was stable in 73% of patients at 6 months. In the procedure performed for stabilization, no displacement of treated vertebrae was observed (mean follow-up, 13 months). Three patients had transient radiculopathy due to cement extrusion, and two patients had transient difficulty in swallowing. CONCLUSION: Vertebroplasty of metastases is a minimally invasive procedure that provides immediate and long-term pain relief and contributes to spinal stabilization.
PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating spinal metastases that result in pain or instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (20 men, 17 women; aged 33-86 years) underwent 52 percutaneous injections of surgical cement into a vertebra (vertebroplasty) with fluoroscopic guidance in 40 procedures. Vertebroplasty was performed for analgesia in 29 procedures, stabilization of the vertebral column in five procedures, and both in six procedures. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 33 procedures performed for analgesia that were evaluated resulted in clear improvement; seven, moderate improvement; and two, no improvement. Improvement was stable in 73% of patients at 6 months. In the procedure performed for stabilization, no displacement of treated vertebrae was observed (mean follow-up, 13 months). Three patients had transient radiculopathy due to cement extrusion, and two patients had transient difficulty in swallowing. CONCLUSION:Vertebroplasty of metastases is a minimally invasive procedure that provides immediate and long-term pain relief and contributes to spinal stabilization.
Authors: Ioannis N Gaitanis; Alexander G Hadjipavlou; Pavlos G Katonis; Michael N Tzermiadianos; Dritan S Pasku; Avinash G Patwardhan Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2004-10-08 Impact factor: 3.134