Cementoplasty of Metastases of the Proximal Femur: Is It a Safe Palliative Option?

Combination of Elastic Nail(s) and Cementoplasty to Treat Pathological Fractures in Long Bones of the Upper Limb

OBJECTIVE

To describe and study retrospectively the combination of elastic nails and cementoplasty to stabilize pathological fractures in the upper limb and present the results on pain and mobility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2022 and April 2024, six patients with a median age of 65 were treated with elastic nailing and cement injection. Pathological fractures were located in the clavicle (n = 3), humerus (n = 1) and radius (n = 2). Displacement at the fracture site was noted in two cases.

RESULTS

All nails were inserted successfully. Two nails were used for the humerus (n = 1) and the radius (n = 2), and a single nail was used for the clavicle (n = 3). A median volume of 6.5 cc of PMMA was injected. Median duration of the procedure was 155 min. Median pain score dropped from 8/10 the day before intervention to 3.5/10 at 10 days of follow-up and 3/10 at one-month follow-up. Three patients could move their upper limb without limitation. For the five patients for whom imaging was available, no fracture displacement was recorded at a median last follow-up of 3 months. There was no delayed complication.

CONCLUSION

The combination of elastic nail and cementoplasty is feasible and allows to reduce pain and restore limb function. It may offer an alternative to patients suffering from pathological fractures in the upper limb and who are not candidates for surgery.

A Toolbox of Bone Consolidation for the Interventional Radiologist

Bone consolidation is increasingly used in the treatment of both benign and malignant bone conditions. Percutaneous vertebroplasty, for example, has been shown to be useful in vertebral compression fractures in the VAPOUR trial which showed its superiority to placebo for pain reduction in the treatment of acute vertebral compressive fractures. Further tools have since been developed, such as kyphoplasty, spinal implants, and even developments in bone cements itself in attempt to improve outcome, such as chemotherapy-loaded cement or cement replacements such as radio-opaque silicon polymer. More importantly, bone fixation and its combination with cement have been increasingly performed to improve outcome. Interventional radiologists must first know the tools available, before they can best plan for their patients. This review article will focus on the tool box available for the modern interventional radiologist.

Musculoskeletal Interventional Oncology: A Contemporary Review

Musculoskeletal interventional oncology is an emerging field that addresses the limitations of conventional therapies for bone and soft-tissue tumors. The field's growth has been driven by evolving treatment paradigms, expanding society guidelines, mounting supportive literature, technologic advances, and cross-specialty collaboration with medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. Safe, effective, and durable pain palliation, local control, and stabilization of musculoskeletal tumors are increasingly achieved through an expanding array of contemporary minimally invasive percutaneous image-guided treatments, including ablation, osteoplasty, vertebral augmentation (with or without mechanical reinforcement via implants), osseous consolidation via percutaneous screw fixation (with or without osteoplasty), tumor embolization, and neurolysis. These interventions may be used for curative or palliative indications and can be readily combined with systemic therapies. Therapeutic approaches include the combination of different interventional oncology techniques as well as the sequential application of such techniques with other local treatments, including surgery or radiation. This article reviews the current practice of interventional oncology treatments for the management of patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors with a focus on emerging technologies and techniques.

Role of interventional radiology in pain management in oncology patients

This article reviews the current evidence of interventional radiology procedures for patients suffering with debilitating cancer pain, refractory to conventional therapies. Cancer pain is notoriously difficult to treat. Up to 90% of cancer patients experience pain with 56-82% of cancer pain controlled inadequately. Cancer pain influences a patient's ability to perform normal daily activities, causes higher risk of depression, and reduces quality of life. Pain-free status has been universally voted as a "good death". Alternative minimally invasive options include nerve blocks, neurolysis, bone ablation, spine and peripheral musculoskeletal augmentation techniques, embolisation, and cordotomy with evidence highlighting improved pain control, reduced analgesic requirements, and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, awareness and availability of these procedures is limited, potentially leaving patients suffering during their remaining life. The purpose of this review is to describe the basic concepts of interventional radiology techniques for pain palliation in oncology patients. In addition, emphasis will be given upon the need for an individually tailored approach aiming to augment efficacy and safety.

Fracture risk assessment and evaluation of femoroplasty in metastatic proximal femurs. An in vivo CT-based finite element study

The goal of this study was twofold. First, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a finite element (FE) model to predict bone fracture in cancer patients with proximal femoral bone metastases. Second, we evaluated whether femoroplasty could effectively reduce fracture risk. A total of 89 patients were included, with 101 proximal femurs affected with bone metastases. The accuracy of the model to predict fracture was evaluated by comparing the FE failure load, normalized for body weight, against the actual occurrence of fracture during a 6-month follow-up. Using a critical threshold, the model could identify whether femurs underwent fracture with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 66%. A virtual treatment with femoroplasty was simulated in a subset of 34 out of the 101 femurs; only femurs with one or more well-defined lytic lesions were considered eligible for femoroplasty. We modeled their lesions, as well as the surrounding 4 mm of trabecular bone, to be augmented with bone cement. The simulation of femoroplasty increased the median failure load of the FE model by 57% for lesions located in the head/neck of the femur. At this lesion location, all high risk femurs that had fractured during follow-up effectively moved from a failure load below the critical threshold to a value above. For lesions located in the trochanteric region, no definite improvement in failure load was found. Although additional validation studies are required, our results suggest that femoroplasty can effectively reduce fracture risk for several osteolytic lesions in the femoral head/neck.

Combination of Percutaneous Screw Fixation and Cementoplasty for Lytic Bone Metastases: Feasibility, Safety and Clinical Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy of a combination of screw fixation and cementoplasty for pathologic bone fracture.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective study, all consecutive percutaneous screw fixations under assisted CT guidance for palliation and fracture treatment of pathologic bone fracture were reviewed from July 2019 to February 2021. The primary outcome measure was the procedures' technical success, defined as the correct placement of the screw(s), without any complications. Secondary outcome measures were the safety, the procedures' early analgesic effects and impacts on quality of life at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 11/11 procedures (100%) among 11 patients. No major complications attributable to the procedure were noted. The mean pain scored significantly decreased at the initial follow-up: 8.0 ± 2.7 versus 1.6 ± 2.5 (p < 0.05). Opioid doses were statistically lower after procedure: 70.9 ± 37 versus 48.2 ± 46 mg/day (p < 0.05). The mean EQ5D score had significantly increased by the early post-procedure consultation: 42.5 ± 13.6 vs 63.6 ± 10.3 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Combination of percutaneous screw fixation and cementoplasty for pathologic bone fracture is feasible and safe. It is efficient to reduce pain, decrease the consumption of opioids and improve the quality of life at 4 weeks after the procedure.

Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedures for Metastatic Bone Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Metastases are the main type of malignancy involving bone, which is the third most frequent site of metastatic carcinoma, after lung and liver. Skeletal-related events such as intractable pain, spinal cord compression, and pathologic fractures pose a serious burden on patients’ quality of life. For this reason, mini-invasive treatments for the management of bone metastases were developed with the goal of pain relief and functional status improvement. These techniques include embolization, thermal ablation, electrochemotherapy, cementoplasty, and MRI-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound. In order to achieve durable pain palliation and disease control, mini-invasive procedures are combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or analgesics. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recently published literature regarding interventional radiology procedures in the treatment of cancer patients with bone metastases, focusing on the efficacy, complications, local disease control and recurrence rate.

Experimental validation of a voxel-based finite element model simulating femoroplasty of lytic lesions in the proximal femur

Femoroplasty is a procedure where bone cement is injected percutaneously into a weakened proximal femur. Uncertainty exists whether femoroplasty provides sufficient mechanical strengthening to prevent fractures in patients with femoral bone metastases. Finite element models are promising tools to evaluate the mechanical effectiveness of femoroplasty, but a thorough validation is required. This study validated a voxel-based finite element model against experimental data from eight pairs of human cadaver femurs with artificial metastatic lesions. One femur from each pair was left untreated, while the contralateral femur was augmented with bone cement. Finite element models accurately predicted the femoral strength in the defect (R² = 0.96) and augmented (R² = 0.93) femurs. The modelled surface strain distributions showed a good qualitative match with results from digital image correlation; yet, quantitatively, only moderate correlation coefficients were found for the defect (mean R² = 0.78) and augmented (mean R² = 0.76) femurs. This was attributed to the presence of vessel holes in the femurs and the jagged surface representation of our voxel-based models. Despite some inaccuracies in the surface measurements, the FE models accurately predicted the global bone strength and qualitative deformation behavior, both before and after femoroplasty. Hence, they can offer a useful biomechanical tool to assist clinicians in assessing the need for prophylactic augmentation in patients with metastatic bone disease, as well as in identifying suitable patients for femoroplasty.

Biomechanical and fracture characteristics of different filling and fixation methods applied to various proximal tibial metaphyseal defect sizes in an ovine model

BACKGROUND

Ideal treatment method based on the size of the defect in local aggressive bone tumors is yet to be described. We evaluated the mechanical behavior of different fixation methods for various defect sizes located in the proximal tibia.

METHODS

Ninety-one sheep tibiae were distributed in five groups. Each study group was further divided into three subgroups, forming 25%, 50%, and 75% metaphyseal defects. The five groups were divided as follows: 1) control group where tibiae remained intact (n = 7); 2) isolated defect created, without filling (n = 21); 3) filling with cement (n = 21); 4) application of two subchondral cortical screws in addition to cement (n = 21); and 5) application of plate-screw fixation in addition to cement (n = 21). A loading test simulating the axial load applied by the distal femur to the tibia plateau was performed. The maximum failure load was compared between groups according to the defect size and fixation method.

FINDINGS

In 25% defects, group 5 had significantly higher failure load than other groups. However, in 50% and 75% defects, additional fixation did not increase the failure load. Also, additional screw fixation did not increase failure load in all defect sizes. There was a significant positive correlation between fracture morphology and defect size, fixation method, and failure load.

INTERPRETATION

Additional plate-screw fixation would increase the stability in defects ≤25%. In defects ≥50%, additional fixation does not increase stability. Screw fixation in addition to cementing does not increase stability in all defect sizes.

Longitudinal survival trends of patients with cancer with surgically managed appendicular metastatic bone disease: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Advances in systemic cancer therapies have improved survival for patients with metastatic carcinoma; however, it is unknown whether these advances have translated to improved survival for patients with appendicular metastatic bone disease (A-MBD) after orthopedic interventions. We conducted a study to evaluate the trend in overall survival for patients who underwent orthopedic surgery for A-MBD between 1968 and 2018.

METHODS

A systematic search of Embase and Medline to identify studies published since 1968 evaluating patients treated with orthopedic surgery for A-MBD was conducted for a previously published scoping review. We used a meta-regression model to assess the longitudinal trends in 1-, 2- and 5-year overall survival between 1968 and 2018. The midpoint year of patient inclusion for each study was used for analysis. We categorized primary tumour types into a tumour severity score according to prognosis for a further meta-regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 5747 studies identified, 103 were retained for analysis. Meta-regression analysis showed no significant effect of midpoint study year on survival across all time points. There was no effect of the weighted average of tumour severity scores for each study on 1-year survival over time.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant improvement in overall survival between 1968 and 2018 for patients with A-MBD who underwent orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic intervention remains a poor prognostic variable for patients with MBD. This finding highlights the need for improved collection of prospective data in this population to identify patients with favourable survival outcomes who may benefit from personalized oncologic surgical interventions.

Bone cement as a local chemotherapeutic drug delivery carrier in orthopedic oncology: A review

Metastatic bone lesions are common among patients with advanced cancers. While chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be prescribed immediately after diagnosis, the majority of severe metastatic bone lesions are treated by reconstructive surgery, which, in some cases, is followed by postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, despite recent advancements in orthopedic surgery, patients undergoing reconstruction still have the risk of developing severe complications such as tumor recurrence and reconstruction failure. This has led to the introduction and evaluation of poly (methyl methacrylate) and inorganic bone cements as local carriers for chemotherapeutic drugs (usually, antineoplastic drugs (ANPDs)). The present work is a critical review of the literature on the potential use of these cements in orthopedic oncology. While several studies have demonstrated the benefits of providing high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic side effects, only six studies have been conducted to assess the local toxic effect of these drug-loaded cements and they all reported negative effects on healthy bone structure. These findings do not close the door on chemotherapeutic bone cements; rather, they should assist in materials selection when designing future materials for the treatment of metastatic bone disease.

Musculoskeletal interventional oncology: current and future practices

Management of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumours has traditionally been delivered by surgeons and medical oncologists. However, in recent years, image-guided interventional oncology (IO) has significantly impacted the clinical management of MSK tumours. With the rapid evolution of relevant technologies and the expanding range of clinical indications, it is likely that the impact of IO will significantly grow and further evolve in the near future.

In this narrative review, we describe well-established and new interventional technologies that are currently integrating into the IO armamentarium available to radiologists to treat MSK tumours and illustrate new emerging IO indications for treatment.

Surgical management of proximal femoral metastasis: Fixation or hip replacement? A 309 case series

INTRODUCTION

The proximal femur is the most frequent operative site for metastasis, but there is no consensus between internal fixation and hip replacement. The present multicenter retrospective observational study sought: (1) to compare early clinical results between internal fixation and hip replacement for proximal femoral metastasis (PFM), and (2) to assess events affecting survival.

HYPOTHESIS

The study hypothesis was that internal fixation and hip replacement give comparable clinical results, operative site complications rates and survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The series comprised 309 cases, 10 of which were bilateral, in 182 females and 117 males, with a mean age of 67.2±11.5 years and 62.5±13.2 years, respectively. Primaries were mainly breast (118; 38.2%), lung (85; 25.5%) or kidney (40; 12.9%). PFM was revelatory in 114 cases (36.9%). There was visceral involvement in 142 patients (46%), multiple peripheral bone involvement in 212 (68.6%), and spinal involvement in 134 (43.4%). There were 124 pathologic fractures (40%), 51 of which were revelatory. Metastases were cervicocephalic in 135 cases (43.7%), metaphyseal in 166 (53.7%) and both in 8 (2.6%). PFM was osteolytic in 90% of cases, managed by hip replacement in 161 cases and internal fixation in 148 (12 screwed plates, 136 nails). Seventy-seven patients had postoperative radiation therapy.

RESULTS

After hip replacement (n=144), walking was normal in 35 cases (24.3%), impaired but unassisted in 53 (36.8%), with 1 forearm crutch in 24 (16.6%), 2 crutches or a frame in 26 (18%), and impossible in 6 (4.1%). After nailing (n=125), results were respectively 38 (30.4%), 47 (37.6%), 15 (12%), 18 (14.4) and 7 (5.6%). Recovery of normal walking capacity did not significantly differ according to technique (p=0.162); nor did pain or function. Recovery of normal walking capacity was better after preventive surgery (p<0.001). Perioperative complications comprised: 10 cases of severe blood loss, 7 pulmonary embolisms, 6 digestive hemorrhages, and 5 lung infections. Secondarily, there were 11 infections (7 after hip replacement, 2 after nailing, 2 after plate fixation), 7 progressive osteolyses and 5 fractures. Complications rates were significantly higher with plate fixation, with no difference between nailing and hip replacement. Survival did not significantly differ between hip replacement (12 months [95% CI: 7-19]), nailing (7 months [95% CI: 6-11]) and plate fixation (16 months [95% CI: 6-not calculable]).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical results and survival were comparable between hip replacement and nailing, confirming the study hypothesis, in agreement with the literature. Each technique has its indications. Patients with severely impaired walking capacity benefited greatly from surgery. The importance of preventive surgery was highlighted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study.

Hip Fracture Prevention in Osteoporotic Elderly and Cancer Patients: An On-Line French Survey Evaluating Current Needs

Background and objectives: Hip fracture is a major public health issue. Those fractures lead to high costs and a decrease in quality of life. A national French survey was conducted, with the objectives to firstly assess the current management of hip fracture and its prevention, both in the osteoporotic and cancer settings, and secondly to evaluate the opinions of physicians on the potential use of minimally invasive implantable devices to prevent hip fracture in alternative of surgery. Materials and methods: This national survey was conducted in France between April and July 2017. Questionnaires were sent to orthopedic surgeons, interventional radiologists, oncologists, and rheumatologists. Completed questionnaires were analyzed and compared according to two indications: orthopedics-traumatology and oncology. Factors associated with these responses were assessed using univariable analyses, based on chi-square tests or an exact Fisher test, as appropriate. Results: A total of 182 questionnaires were completed and further analyzed. Physicians have highlighted the need for a low re-fracture rate and to improve life expectancy for more than 1 year (50% for responders of the orthopedics-traumatology questionnaire and 80% for the responders interested in both indications), as well as quality of life (12.5% and 31%, respectively), but with no significant differences in the oncologic indication. Most of the experts were willing to use or prescribe implantable devices for prevention (63% in orthopedics-traumatology and 93% in oncology), although limited clinical experience (54 and 58%) and surgical risk (around 30% in each indication) were considered as limits. Conclusions: Prevention of hip fracture remains a concern for physicians. More clinical experience with implantable devices, in particular in cancer patients, is needed, but implemented in a strategy to maximize patient recovery while reducing costs.

Augmented versus non-augmented percutaneous cementoplasty for the treatment of metastatic impending fractures of proximal femur: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous cementoplasty (PC) has been widely used for the stabilization of impending fractures of the proximal femur due to metastatic lesions. Augmented percataneous cementoplasty (APC) with fixation devices aims to improve mechanical consolidation and stability of the construct. However, the clinical benefit of the combined technique has not been clearly established. The purpose of the current review was to compare the efficacy between APC and PC for impending pathologic proximal femoral fractures from metastatic malignancy, in terms of pain relief, operative time and fracture related complication rates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched for clinical studies up to July 2019. Studies relevant to cementoplasty of the proximal femur were included. The primary outcome of the study was pain relief as assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) change. Secondary outcomes included incidence of post-intervention fracture, operative time and complication rate.

RESULTS

Twelve studies with a total of 343 patients were included. No difference was found for all outcomes. For pain relief, pooled results showed a mean difference in VAS score -4.6 ± 1.7 for PC, and -4.3 ± 2.5 for APC (p = 0.41). Post-intervention fractures of the proximal femur occurred in 7% of patients with PC and in 5% of patients with APC (p = 0.4), and the mean duration of interventions was 57.9 ± 8.4 and 56.5 ± 27.5 min, respectively (p = 0.58). Cement leakage into the hip joint or the soft tissues occurred in 5% of cases in PC group and in 8% of cases in APC group (p = 0.16). Six patients in the APC group (4%) experienced major systemic complications, which were treated successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

APC does not seem to improve pain relief, fracture incidence, and operative time when compared with PC. Both techniques appeared effective in terms of resolution of symptoms, prevention of pathologic fractures, and early facilitation of weight-bearing. PC showed more clinical safety, as no major systemic complications occurred. However, due to the relative paucity of large clinical trials, the decision of augmentation of cementoplasty should be individualized according to the size and location of metastatic lesions and the overall medical condition of patients.

Finite element models for fracture prevention in patients with metastatic bone disease. A literature review

Patients with bone metastases have an increased risk to sustain a pathological fracture as lytic metastatic lesions damage and weaken the bone. In order to prevent fractures, prophylactic treatment is advised for patients with a high fracture risk. Mechanical stabilization of the femur can be provided through femoroplasty, a minimally invasive procedure where bone cement is injected into the lesion, or through internal fixation with intra- or extramedullary implants. Clinicians face the task of determining whether or not prophylactic treatment is required and which treatment would be the most optimal. Finite element (FE) models are promising tools that could support this decision process. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in FE modeling for the treatment decision of metastatic bone lesions in the femur. First, we will summarize the clinical and mechanical results of femoroplasty as a prophylactic treatment method. Secondly, current FE models for fracture risk assessment of metastatic femurs will be reviewed and the remaining challenges for clinical implementation will be discussed. Thirdly, we will elaborate on the simulation of femoroplasty in FE models and discuss future opportunities. Femoroplasty has already proven to effectively relieve pain and improve functionality, but there remains uncertainty whether it provides sufficient mechanical strengthening to prevent pathological fractures. FE models could help to select appropriate candidates for whom femoroplasty provides sufficient increase in strength and to further improve the mechanical benefit by optimizing the locations for cement augmentation.

Management of metastatic vertebral lesions by interventional techniques: Systematic review of outcomes

Vertebral metastases represent an important cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Among all available treatments, interventional percutaneous techniques have recently emerged as potential strategies for the management of oncologic patients with vertebral lesions. Minimally invasive image-guided therapies include “ablative” and “consolidative” ones. According to the number of metastases and the patient's performance status, ablative techniques can be performed with a curative or a palliative purpose since necrosis induced by critic changes of intralesional temperature determines both tumor debulking and destruction of pain receptors. On the other hand, consolidative treatments are based on the injection of polymethylmethacrylate cement to improve structural vertebral integrity and obtain pain alleviation and prevention of skeletal-related events. This article reviews the current recommendations supporting the role of interventional radiology in the management of vertebral metastases, focusing on the last updates in literature.

Combination of Microwave Ablation and Percutaneous Osteoplasty for Treatment of Painful Extraspinal Bone Metastasis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave (MW) ablation combined with percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) on painful extraspinal bone metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, 50 adult patients with 56 extraspinal bone metastasis lesions, who suffered from refractory moderate to severe pain, were treated with MW ablation and POP. Changes in quality of life were evaluated based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), daily morphine consumption, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and immediately after the procedure and during follow-up times.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean preoperative VAS score and morphine dose were 7.0 ± 2.6 (range, 3-10) and 66.7 ± 33.2 mg (range, 10-120 mg), respectively. Mean postoperative VAS scores and daily morphine doses were as follows: 1 day, 3.5 ± 2.1 and 36.1 ± 25.8 mg (P < .05); 1 week, 1.5 ± 1.7 and 12.2 ± 14.8 mg (P < .001); 1 month, 0.9 ± 1.4 and 5.7 ± 10.0 mg (P < .001); and 3 months, 0.6 ± 1.2 and 4.7 ± 8.4 mg (P < .001). A significant decrease in the ODI score was also observed (P < .05). Periprocedural death was not observed. A pathologic fracture occurred in 1 (2%) patient with femoral metastasis, and local infection was observed in 2 (4%) patients. Minor cement leakage occurred in 4 (8%) patients with no symptomatic or intra-articular extravasation. No local tumor progression occurred in patients with imaging follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

MW ablation combined with POP is an effective and safe treatment for painful extraspinal bone metastases, which can significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life.

Percutaneous Fixation by Internal Cemented Screws of the Sternum

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of sternal percutaneous fixation by internal cemented screw (FICS) using fluoroscopy and/or CT needle guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective single-center study analyzed 9 consecutive cancer patients managed with percutaneous FICS for sternal fracture fixation or osteolytic metastasis consolidation, from May 2014 to February 2019. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and opioid use were studied preoperatively and postoperatively. Sternal images at last follow-up appointment were also collected.

RESULTS

Among the 9 patients, 7 had a sternal fracture with 5 being displaced. The technical feasibility was 100%. Both NPRS score significantly decreased from 5.6/10 ± 2.8 to 1.1/10 ± 1.6, and analgesic consumption was significantly improved (p = 0.03) after intervention. No post-procedural complications requiring surgical correction or screw displacement occurred after a mean imaging follow-up that exceeded 1 year (mean follow-up duration, 401.8 days ± 305.8).

CONCLUSION

Image-guided sternal percutaneous FICS is feasible and safe. It reduces pain and analgesic consumption related to pathologic fracture of the sternum.

Percutaneous extra-spinal cementoplasty in patients with cancer: A systematic review of procedural details and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review of technical details and clinical outcomes of percutaneous extra-spinal cementoplasty in patients with malignant lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PUBMED, MEDLINE, MEDLINE in-process, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases were searched between January 1990 and February 2019 using the keywords «percutaneous cementoplasty», «percutaneous osteoplasty» and «extra-spinal cementoplasty». Inclusion criteria were: retrospective/prospective cohort with more than 4 patients, published in English language, reporting the use of percutaneous injection of cement inside an extra-spinal bone malignant tumour using a dedicated bone trocar, as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with another percutaneous intervention, in order to provide pain palliation and/or bone consolidation.

RESULTS

Thirty articles involving 652 patients with a total of 761 lesions were reviewed. Mean size of lesion was 45mm (range of mean size among publications: 29-73mm); 489 lesions were located in the pelvis, 262 in the long bones of the limbs and 10 in other locations. Cementoplasty was reported as a stand-alone procedure for 60.1% of lesions, and combined with thermal ablation for 26.2% of lesions, implant devices for 12.3% of lesions, and balloon kyphoplasty for 1.4% of lesions. The mean volume of injected cement was 8.8mL (range of mean volume among publications: 2.7-32.2mL). The preoperative visual analogic scores ranged between 3.2 and 9.5. Postoperative scores at last available follow-up ranged from 0.4 to 5.6. Thirteen papers reported a reduction of the visual analogic scores of 5 points or more. Nerve injury was the most frequent symptomatic leakage (0.6%).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous extra-spinal cementopasty is predominantly performed as a stand-alone procedure and for lesions in the bony pelvis. It appears to be an effective tool to manage pain associated with malignant bone tumours. There is however a lack of standardization of the technique among the different publications.

Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of painful bone metastases: A single institution experience

BACKGROUND

Bone metastases are frequently painful and may lead to various complications that can affect quality of life. While external beam radiation therapy is the standard first-line treatment, 20-30% of patients do not experience sufficient pain relief. Cryoablation is increasingly being used for the treatment of musculoskeletal metastases. The purpose of our retrospective study was to analyze pain relief and local disease control after percutaneous image-guided cryoablation (PCA) therapy of painful bone metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients treated with PCA for painful bone metastases (n=18) over a 5-year period (from June 2011 to June 2016) were retrospectively reviewed. Five patients also benefited from long bone fixation because of an impending fracture. We analyzed the impact of treatment on pain relief, using a numerical rating scale (NRS), and local disease control.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 12 months (range, 1.5-39 months). At last oncological outpatient consultation, 75% (12/16) of patients had good pain relief, while 63% (10/16) had locally stable disease or no local recurrence of the treated bone metastases. The mean NRS score decreased significantly from 3.3 to 1.2 after PCA (p=0.0024). The five patients with concomitant long bone fixation all had satisfactory pain relief at the last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION

PCA is a safe and valid treatment option for pain and local disease control in cases of painful bone metastases after failed standard first-line therapy. This technique can also be effectively associated to prophylactic long bone fixation and may allow for easier rehabilitation protocols when treating weight-bearing bones.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Retrospective case series.

Preliminary results: use of multi-hole injection nails for intramedullary nailing with simultaneous bone cement injection in long-bone metastasis

OBJECTIVE

For symptomatic metastasis of the long bones, intramedullary nailing has been the most accepted fixation method. Intramedullary nailing has effective control of pain, perioperative bleeding, and local tumor progression by augmentation with bone cement around the nail. Here, we report the preliminary results of a new surgical implant that allows for simultaneous injection of bone cement while inserting a percutaneous, flexible intramedullary nail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed palliative surgeries for long-bone metastasis using a multi-hole injection nail (MIN) with multiple side holes in the distal one third. When the nail tip entered the metastatic cancer lesion, the bone cement injection was started, and continued until the nail was completely seated. Ten patients with advanced cancer underwent palliative surgery using the new implant with simultaneous bone cement injection for humeral (n = 4), femoral (n = 4), and tibial (n = 2) metastases.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 42 min (range, 36-52 min). The mean length of the injection nail was 23.0 cm (range, 18.0-33.0 cm), and the mean volume of cement was 28.0 ml (range, 14.0-40.0 ml). Marked pain palliation (p < 0.001) and functional recovery (p = 0.01) were verified. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score improved significantly from 12.5 at 6 weeks preoperatively, to 24.9 postoperatively. No acute postoperative complications, including cement embolism, occurred.

CONCLUSION

This minimally invasive surgical method with MIN could be useful for stabilization of long-bone metastases in patients with advanced cancer.

Fluoroscopy and Cone-Beam CT-guided Fixation by Internal Cemented Screw for Pathologic Pelvic Fractures

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of palliative treatment of patients with pathologic pelvic by using fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT needle guidance software to perform percutaneous fixation by internal cemented screw (FICS). Materials and Methods This single-center study involved retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients with cancer with pathologic pelvic fractures managed with percutaneous FICS. Image guidance was performed with fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT needle guidance software. Pain palliative outcomes and opioid use after FICS were compared by means of paired-sample t test. Results A total of 107 percutaneous FICS procedures were performed from 2010 to 2017 to palliate 141 pathologic fractures in 100 patients (mean age, 65.0 years ± 17.6 [standard deviation; female age, 66.3 years ± 18.0; mean, 63.7 years ± 17.2]). Of 107 procedures, 104 (97.2%) were technically successful, with mean postprocedure hospitalization of 2 days ± 3. Complications occurred in 14 patients: focal pain at procedure site for longer than 48 hours (n = 5), hematoma (n = 3), progressive fracture despite fixation (n = 2), infection (n = 1), tumor track seeding (n = 1), and screw displacement (n = 2). In the 88 patients who completed early follow-up, mean numeric rating scale pain score was significantly improved at 6 weeks from 6.1 ± 2.5 to 2.1 ± 3.0 (P < .001). Opioid use was reduced at 6 weeks (preprocedure vs postprocedure, 91.3 g ± 121 vs 64.6 g ± 124, respectively; P = .04). Conclusion Fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT-guided percutaneous fixation of pathologic pelvis fractures by internal cemented screw is a safe and effective approach that can reduce pain and opioid use. © RSNA, 2018.

Percutaneous Fixation by Internal Cemented Screw for the Treatment of Unstable Osseous Disease in Cancer Patients

Interventional radiology expertise in image guidance has expanded the treatment options for cancer patients with unstable osseous disease. Percutaneous fixation by internal cemented screw (FICS) describes the technique by which the interventional radiologist stabilizes a fracture or impending fracture with the percutaneous placement of a cannulated screw that is locked in position by polymethyl methacrylate cement. The durable metallic screws provide added resistance to torque and tension stresses that complement the axial compression resistance of cement. Compared with cementoplasty alone, the procedure has been advanced as a more durable and precise technique for stabilization of osseous disease for certain disease presentations in cancer patients. The application of advanced image guidance techniques improves upon existing percutaneous surgical techniques to facilitate approaches that would otherwise prove quite challenging, particularly with stabilization of the pelvic flat bones. This article examines the applications of percutaneous FICS procedures for the treatment of unstable osseous disease in cancer patients. Indications, techniques, and follow-up care are reviewed. Case examples in which FICS can be performed in unstable pathology are detailed.

Integrated CT-Fluoroscopy Equipment: Improving the Interventional Radiology Approach and Patient Experience for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Malignancies

Integrated CT-fluoroscopy equipment augments the comprehensive approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) malignancy by interventional radiology techniques. As the role of minimally invasive treatment expands to meet the highly variable presentation of MSK malignancy, creative solutions to treatment challenges are required to improve locoregional tumor control and durability of pain palliation. Challenges to effective treatment can often be attributed to a combination of aggressive tumor biology, large size, forbidding location, and adverse vascularity. In these cases, a tailored treatment approach may necessitate the application of multiple interventional radiology (IR) techniques that require different image guidance capabilities. Integrated CT-fluoroscopy equipment provides the means to leverage both imaging modalities within the same procedural setting to facilitate the simultaneous application of multiple synergistic treatments and protective measures. This article examines the potential role of hybrid units in the IR treatment of challenging MSK malignancies as a means to empower a paradigm transition for a more comprehensive and patient-tailored approach.

Percutaneous Cement Injection for the Palliative Treatment of Osseous Metastases: A Technical Review

The technical art to percutaneous injection of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement for the palliative treatment of osseous metastases is not without pitfalls. Pathologic fracture, cortical bone erosion, large lytic tumor, aggressive tumor biology, and tumor vascularity may increase the risk of cement leakage or limit complete consolidation. A calculated and determined approach is often necessary to achieve satisfactory patient-tailored results. This article reviews the challenges and potential complications during the consolidation of osseous metastases. Case examples are presented to facilitate early detection of impending cement leakage, minimize procedural risks, and provide management suggestions for complications. Technical pearls are provided to refine consolidative techniques and improve the comprehensive treatment of painful osseous metastases.

Metastatic Osseous Pain Control: Bone Ablation and Cementoplasty

Nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain can be present in all phases of cancer (early and metastatic) and are not adequately treated in 56 to 82.3% of patients. In these patients, radiotherapy achieves overall pain responses (complete and partial responses combined) up to 60 and 61%. On the other hand, nowadays, ablation is included in clinical guidelines for bone metastases and the technique is governed by level I evidence. Depending on the location of the lesion in the peripheral skeleton, either the Mirels scoring or the Harrington (alternatively the Levy) grading system can be used for prophylactic fixation recommendation. As minimally invasive treatment options may be considered in patients with poor clinical status or limited life expectancy, the aim of this review is to detail the techniques proposed so far in the literature and to report the results in terms of safety and efficacy of ablation and cementoplasty (with or without fixation) for bone metastases. Percutaneous image-guided treatments appear as an interesting alternative for localized metastatic lesions of the peripheral skeleton.

Case series of patients with pathological dyaphiseal fractures from metastatic bone disease

INTRODUCTION

Fractures on pathologic bone have major impact on life quality. The appropriate treatment is not standardized, but the current literature delineates that surgery must provide adequate stabilization for the life expectancy. We aimed to review the epidemiology, treatment outcomes and survival in our department.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The electronic database from a major referral centre was searched for patients treated for tumours and fractures by the corresponding ICM-10 codes over five years. Eighty-nine patients were identified. Eleven females and nine males, with an average age of 64 years underwent 23 operations during the selected timeframe. Six fractures were subtrochanteric, five at the femoral neck and five at the femoral diaphysis. Seventeen cases were metastatic carcinomas, out of which five mammary, three pulmonary and seven carcinomas of undetermined origin without immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Fourteen types of surgical intervention were osteosynthesis with intramedullary nails and six were partial hip replacements of which one had proximal femur resection and revision stem hemiarthroplasty. Four patients had single metastatic lesions which underwent resection and defect filling using PMMA cement (polymethylmethacrylate). The follow-up period ranged between two and seven years or until death. Only five patients (25%) were alive at the last follow-up. Local recurrence appeared in one patient. There was one immediate post-operative complication (dehiscent wound) and one implant failure after five years and was replaced with a larger diameter (exchange nailing).

CONCLUSION

Both hip arthroplasty and femoral nailing are safe and routine procedures that are performed with relatively technical ease and low surgical stress and few peri-operative complications for the patient. They allow for immediate mobilization and weight-bearing with moderate and rapidly decreasing pain and discomfort.

Augmented osteoplasty for proximal femur consolidation in cancer patients: Biomechanical considerations and techniques

According to the literature, prophylactic consolidation of lytic metastasis located in the proximal femur is recommended when the Mirels' score is above 8. Osteoplasty alone provides inadequate consolidation but various devices have been used in association for better consolidation. The aim of this review is to detail the augmented osteoplasty techniques published in the literature and to report their safeties and their efficacies to prevent pathological fracture of the proximal femur. A Pubmed research found 5 studies that evaluated augmented osteoplasty of the proximal femur in cancer patients. All devices demonstrate adequate safety and low rate of secondary pathological fractures.

Increasing Role of Image-Guided Ablation in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Tumors

In the last decade, percutaneous treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumors has become more established in routine clinical care while also undergoing a number of advancements. Ablative techniques to palliate painful skeletal metastases have gained wide acceptance, while goals for ablation have evolved to include local control of oligometastases and desmoid tumors. Bone consolidation or augmentation is now frequently used in conjunction with or instead of ablation of skeletal tumors to stabilize pathologic fractures or prevent further morbidity that could result from fractures caused by tumor progression. These procedures have traditionally been performed with cement injection, although additional percutaneous consolidation or stabilization devices have been developed. Techniques to monitor the ablation zone and adjacent structures intraprocedurally are now applied to increase the number of tumors amenable to treatment. These include methods to depict, displace, or monitor critical structures adjacent to targeted MSK tumors. Finally, the role of ablation in the comprehensive care of patients with MSK tumors continues to change with the evolving triage of patients between radiation therapy, surgical resection and stabilization, and percutaneous ablative and consolidative management.

Percutaneous Palliative Surgery for Femoral Neck Metastasis Using Hollow Perforated Screw Fixation and Bone Cement

Background:

We introduced a new surgical method of percutaneous hollow perforated screw (HPS) fixation with concomitant bone-cement injection for the treatment of femoral neck metastasis and evaluated its efficacy for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods:

The study included 87 patients (39 men and 48 women; mean age [and standard deviation], 64.2 ± 10.2 years; mean body mass index, 24.3 ± 3.2 kg/m²) who underwent percutaneous HPS fixation and cementoplasty (mean cement amount, 19.8 ± 8.3 mL) for the treatment of unilateral or bilateral femoral neck metastasis (total, 95 sites). Anesthesia type, operative time, operative blood loss, pain score changes (according to a visual analog scale [VAS]), walking status, and complications were assessed. The mean duration of follow-up was 10.1 ± 10.8 months (range, 2 to 43 months).

Results:

The majority of procedures were performed with local (3 patients) or spinal (72 patients) anesthesia (total, 75 patients; 86.2%). The mean operative time was 35.9 minutes, and the mean operative blood loss was 97.0 mL. The VAS score for pain improved significantly, from 6.8 ± 2.8 preoperatively to 2.8 ± 2.3 and 2.9 ± 2.8 at 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively (p < 0.001). At 6 weeks postoperatively, 63 (80.8%) of 78 patients were able to walk (with either normal or limping gait, a cane or crutch, or a walker). The prevalence of major local complications (cement leakage into the hip joint, fixation failure) was 10.5% (10 of 95), but major systemic complications (distant cement embolism) were not found.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous HPS fixation and cementoplasty for the treatment of femoral neck metastasis is a minimally invasive technique that provides effective pain relief and early stabilization. This technique seems to be useful for patients with advanced cancer for whom open surgery would be hazardous.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Metastatic bone disease from breast cancer: a review of minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis and treatment

Skeletal-related events in patients with metastatic bone disease include intractable severe pain, pathologic fracture, spinal cord and nerve compression, hypercalcemia and bone marrow aplasia. In patients with breast cancer, the skeleton is the most frequent site for metastases. Treatment options for metastatic bone disease in these patients include bisphosphonates, chemotherapeutic agents, opioids, hormonal therapy, minimally invasive/interventional and surgical techniques. Interventional oncology techniques for breast cancer patients with bone metastases include diagnostic (biopsy) and therapeutic (palliative and curative) approaches. In the latter, percutaneous ablation, augmentation and stabilization are included. The purpose of this article is to describe the basic concepts of biopsy, ablation, embolization and peripheral skeleton augmentation techniques in patients with metastatic bone disease from breast carcinoma. The necessity for a tailored approach applying different techniques for different cases and locations will be addressed.

Expanding role of percutaneous ablative and consolidative treatments for musculoskeletal tumours

Interventional approaches to musculoskeletal tumours have significantly changed over the last several years, and new treatments continue to be developed. All ablative modalities are currently applied to the treatment of bone tumours, including radiofrequency, cryo-, microwave, and laser ablation devices. Indications for ablation of bone and soft-tissue tumours have expanded beyond palliation of painful bone metastases and eradication of osteoid osteomas to the local control of oligometastatic disease from a number of primary tumours and ablation of desmoid tumours. In addition, tools for consolidation of bone tumours at risk of pathological fracture have also expanded. With these developments, ablation has become the primary treatment for osteoid osteomas and, at some institutions, desmoid tumours. It may be the primary or secondary treatment for palliation of painful bone tumours, frequently used in patients with pain refractory to or recurrent after radiation therapy. It is used as a treatment for limited metastatic disease or for metastases that grow disproportionately in patients with multifocal metastases, either in combination with systemic therapy or to reserve systemic therapy and its toxicity for more widespread disease progression. Moreover, percutaneous methods to consolidate bone at risk of fracture have become more commonplace, aided by techniques using materials beyond typical bone cement.

Reinforced cementoplasty using dedicated spindles in the management of unstable malignant lesions of the cervicotrochanteric region

OBJECTIVES

In long bones, cementoplasty alone does not provide sufficient stability, which may cause secondary fractures. This study reviewed the safety and efficacy of reinforced cementoplasty (RC) (percutaneous internal fixation using dedicated spindles combined with cementoplasty) for unstable malignant lesions of the cervicotrochanteric region (CTR) of the proximal femur.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients (nine women [50%] and nine men [50%]; mean age 55.1 ± 16.2 years; range 22-85) underwent RC for 19 unstable lesions of the CTR (16/19 [84.2%] bone metastases, 3/19 [15.8%] multiple myeloma lesions). All the patients were considered unsuitable for surgery. Clinical outcome was judged with a mean follow-up of 8.8 ± 7.2 months (range 1-27). The primary endpoints were occurrence of secondary fractures during the follow-up period and local pain relief measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

No secondary fracture occurred. Mean VAS improved from 5.9 ± 3.1 (range 0-10) to 2.3 ± 2.4 (range 0-7) at 1 month (p = 0.001) to 1.6 ± 1.7 (range 0-5) at final follow-up (p = 0.0002). One symptomatic cement pulmonary embolism was recorded.

CONCLUSION

RC is an original minimally invasive technique providing pain relief and effective bone stability for unstable malignant lesions of the cervicotrochanteric region in patients unsuitable for open surgery.

KEY POINTS

• Reinforced cementoplasty (RC) combines intralesional spindling with cementoplasty. • RC provides effective bone stability and pain relief. • RC is a suitable minimally invasive option for patients in poor general condition.

Percutaneous image-guided screws meditated osteosynthesis of impeding and pathological/insufficiency fractures of the femoral neck in non-surgical cancer patients

AIM

To present percutaneous image-guided screw-mediated osteosynthesis (PIGSMO) for fixation of impending fractures (ImF) and non-displaced/mildly displaced pathological/insufficient fractures (PF/InF) of the femoral neck in non-surgical cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a double-centre single-arm observational study. Retrospective review of electronic records identified all oncologic patients who had undergone femoral neck PIGSMO. Inclusion criteria were: non-displaced or mildly displaced PF/InF, and ImF (Mirels' score ≥8); life expectancy ≥1 month; unsuitability for surgical treatment due to sub-optimal clinical fitness, refusal of consent, or unacceptable delay to systemic therapy.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were treated (mean age 63.7±13.5 years) due to ImF (63.6%, mean Mirels' score 10.1), PF (27.3%) or post-radiation InF (9.1%) under CT/fluoroscopy- (36.4%) or CBCT- (63.6%) guidance. Thirty-two screws were implanted and cement injection was added in 36.4% cases. Technical success was 90.9%. No procedure related complications were noted. At 1-month clinical follow-up (pain/walking impairment), 63.6% and 27.3% patients reported significant and mild improvement, respectively. Imaging follow-up (available in 63.6% cases) showed no signs of secondary fractures, neither of screws loosening at mean 2.8 months. Five patients (45.5%) died after PIGSMO (mean time interval 3.6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

PIGSMO is technically feasible and safe in cancer patients with limited life expectancy; it offers good short-term results. Further prospective studies are required to corroborate mid- and to prove long-term efficacy of the technique.

Percutaneous low-pressure bone stenting to control cement deposition in extensive lytic lesions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate low-pressure bone stenting combined with cementoplasty in extensive lytic lesions.

METHODS

A single-centre study involving four consecutive patients (four women) with extensive lytic tumours was performed. The average age was 65 years. Surgical treatment was not indicated or not wished for by the patients. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Percutaneous consolidation was performed by an interventional radiologist under fluoroscopy guidance. Follow-up was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Under general (n = 2) or local (n = 2) anaesthesia, five 11-gauge bone biopsy needles were advanced in four lesions. Five auto-expandable uncovered stents (10-14 mm diameter and 40-60 mm long) were inserted. In all cases, bone cement was successfully placed into the tumours. The volume of cement that was injected through the cannulas into the stents was 5-10 mL. Using VAS, pain decreased from more than 9/10 preoperatively to less than 2/10 after the procedure for all patients (p < 0.05). No complications occurred during the follow-up (8-19 months).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that cementoplasty combined with low-pressure bone stenting could allow effective bone stabilization resulting in pain relief.

KEY POINTS

• Low-pressure bone stenting is possible. • This technique improves cement injection control. • The procedure allows effective bone stabilization resulting in pain relief.

Percutaneous osteosynthesis and cementoplasty for stabilization of malignant pathologic fractures of the proximal femur

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent radiological percutaneous osteosynthesis and cementoplasty (RPOC) for stabilization of malignant pathological fracture of the proximal femur.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical files of 12 patients who underwent RPOC for stabilization of malignant pathological fracture of the proximal femur were reviewed. There were 9 men and 3 women with a mean age of 56 years±13 (SD) (range: 35-82 years). All patients had metastases of proximal femur and a high fracture risk (Mirels score≥8) and were not eligible for surgical stabilization. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a fracture after RPOC. Secondary endpoints were the procedure time, early complications of RPOC, pain reduction as assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

No patients treated with RPOC had a fracture during a mean follow-up time of 382 days±274 (SD) (range: 11-815 days). RPOC was performed under general (n=10) or locoregional (n=2) anesthesia. The average duration of the procedure was 95min±17 (SD) (range: 73-121min). The technical success rate was 100%. All patients were able to walk on the day following RPOC. The average duration of hospital stay was 4days ±3 (SD) (range: 2-10 days). No major complication occurred. One patient complained of hypoesthesia in the lateral thigh. For symptomatic patients (n=7), VAS score decreased from 6.8±1.2 (SD) (range: 5-9) before treatment, to 2.3±1.1 (SD) (range: 1-4) one month later.

CONCLUSION

Preventive RPOC for pathological fracture of the proximal femur is a reliable alternative for cancer patients who are not candidates for surgical stabilization. Studies involving more patients are needed to confirm our preliminary experience.