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

Management of metastatic bone disease of the pelvis: current concepts

PURPOSE

Metastatic disease of the pelvis is frequently associated with severe pain and impaired ambulatory function. Depending on the patient's characteristics, primary tumor, and metastatic pelvic disease, the treatment choice may be varied. This study aims to report on the current management options of metastatic pelvic disease.

METHODS

We comprehensively researched multiple databases and evaluated essential studies about current concepts of managing a metastatic bone disease of the pelvis, focusing on specific indications as well as on the result of treatment.

RESULTS

Pelvic metastases not in the periacetabular region can be managed with modification of weight-bearing, analgesics, bisphosphonates, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Minimally invasive approaches include radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, embolization, percutaneous osteoplasty, and percutaneous screw placement. Pathological or impending periacetabular fracture, excessive periacetabular bone defect, radioresistant tumor, and persistent debilitating pain despite non-surgical treatment and/or minimally invasive procedures can be managed with different surgical techniques. Overall, treatment can be divided into nonoperative, minimally invasive, and operative based on specific indications, the expectations of the patient and the lesion.

CONCLUSION

Different treatment modalities exist to manage metastatic pelvic bone disease. Decision-making for the most appropriate treatment should be made with a multidisciplinary approach based on a case-by-case basis.

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound versus percutaneous thermal ablation in local control of bone oligometastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The percutaneous thermal ablation techniques (pTA) are radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and microwave ablation, suitable for the treatment of bone oligometastases. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive ablation technique.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness and safety of MRgFUS and pTA for treating bone oligometastases and their complications.

METHODS

Studies were selected with a PICO/PRISMA protocol: pTA or MRgFUS in patients with bone oligometastases; non-exclusive curative treatment. Exclusion criteria were: primary bone tumor; concurrent radiation therapy; palliative therapy; and absence of imaging at follow-up. PubMed, BioMed Central, and Scopus were searched. The modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed articles quality. For each treatment (pTA and MRgFUS), we conducted two separate random-effects meta-analyses to estimate the pooled effectiveness and safety. The effectiveness was assessed by combining the proportions of treated lesions achieving local tumor control (LTC); the safety by combining the complications rates of treated patients. Meta-regression analyses were performed to identify any outcome predictor.

RESULTS

A total of 24 articles were included. Pooled LTC rate for MRgFUS was 84% (N = 7, 95% CI 66-97%, I2 = 74.7%) compared to 65% of pTA (N = 17, 95% CI 51-78%, I2 = 89.3%). Pooled complications rate was similar, respectively, 13% (95% CI 1-32%, I2 = 81.0%) for MRgFUS and 12% (95% CI 8-18%, I2 = 39.9%) for pTA, but major complications were recorded with pTA only. The meta-regression analyses, including technique type, study design, tumor, and follow-up, found no significant predictors.

DISCUSSION

The effectiveness and safety of the two techniques were found comparable, even though MRgFUS is a noninvasive treatment that did not cause any major complication. Limited data availability on MRgFUS and the lack of direct comparisons with pTA may affect these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

MRgFUS can be a valid, safe, and noninvasive treatment for bone oligometastases. Direct comparison studies are needed to confirm its promising benefits.

Cryoablation for the Palliation of Painful Bone Metastasis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat painful bone metastases in patients with cancer. We designed a systematic review to understand the safety and effects of cryoablation on the pain and quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.

METHOD

We searched PubMed, ISI, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases using the keywords "Cryoablation," "Pain," and "Bone metastasis." Inclusion criteria were: (1) Original studies published until September 8, 2022; (2) studies on patients over 18 years and affected by bone metastasis; (3) bone metastasis treated with stand-alone cryoablation; (4) studies reporting patients' pain before and at least one time-point following cryoablation; and (5) English-language studies.

RESULTS

We screened 696 articles. Fifteen studies on 376 patients were included. Time points for pain assessment ranged from 1 day to 6 months. Spine was the most frequent treated location. All studies reported a significant pain reduction between 1 day and 6 months after the cryoablation procedure. The highest mean difference between pre- and post-procedure scores was 5.8 (VAS scale) after 4 weeks. The overall rate of minor and major complications was 12.74%. Cryoablation improved the QoL of cancer patients and decreased the need for analgesics.

CONCLUSION

Cryoablation is a safe and useful procedure for palliating painful bone metastasis and increasing the QoL of cancer patients. Future studies should adopt a standardized pain reporting scale to allow for meta-analysis.

The New Ice Age of Musculoskeletal Intervention: Role of Percutaneous Cryoablation in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors

In the rapidly evolving field of interventional oncology, minimally invasive methods, including CT-guided cryoablation, play an increasingly important role in tumor treatment, notably in bone and soft tissue cancers. Cryoablation works using compressed gas-filled probes to freeze tumor cells to temperatures below -20 °C, exploiting the Joule-Thompson effect. This cooling causes cell destruction by forming intracellular ice crystals and disrupting blood flow through endothelial cell damage, leading to local ischemia and devascularization. Coupling this with CT technology enables precise tumor targeting, preserving healthy surrounding tissues and decreasing postoperative complications. This review reports the most important literature on CT-guided cryoablation's application in musculoskeletal oncology, including sarcoma, bone metastases, and bone and soft tissue benign primary tumors, reporting on the success rate, recurrence rate, complications, and technical aspects to maximize success for cryoablation in the musculoskeletal system.

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.

CT-guided cryoablation for management of bone metastases: a single center experience and review of the literature

Thermal ablation techniques are procedures of growing interest for management of bone metastases. Among these, cryoablation is probably the most advanced. It allows treatment of large and irregular volumes of pathological tissue, real-time evaluation of the area of ablation and appears less painful than heat-based ablative techniques like radiofrequency and microwaves. Literature shows the effectiveness of cryoablation in the management of bone metastases in terms of pain palliation, but also its employment with curative intent is recommended. We reviewed the outcomes of cryoablation procedures performed in our radiology department over the last seven years, confirming the results in terms of pain palliation and local control of disease. We retrospectively evaluated results of 28 procedures of cryoablation, of which 17 treated with palliative and 11 with curative intent. In a 3-month follow-up study, we recorded an overall reduction of pain (evaluated using a VAS 0-10 scale) between pre- and post-treatment. The mean values dropped from 6.9 (SD: ± 1.3) to 3.5 (SD ± 2.6) (p < 0.0001). In the group of patients treated for local tumor control (follow-up: 22.4 months), we recorded a stability and/or reduction in volume of the lesion in 10 out 11 patients. No major complications were recorded.

Interventional Therapies for Pain in Cancer Patients: a Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pain is a prevalent symptom in the lives of patients with cancer. In light of the ongoing opioid epidemic and increasing awareness of the potential for opioid abuse and addiction, clinicians are progressively turning to interventional therapies. This article reviews the interventional techniques available to mitigate the debilitating effects that untreated or poorly treated pain have in this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

A range of interventional therapies and technical approaches are available for the treatment of cancer-related pain. Many of the techniques described may offer effective analgesia with less systemic toxicity and dependency than first- and second-line oral and parenteral agents. Neuromodulatory techniques including dorsal root ganglion stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation are increasingly finding roles in the management of oncologic pain. The goal of this pragmatic narrative review is to discuss interventional approaches to cancer-related pain and the potential of such therapies to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

Preoperative cryoablation of a hypervascular bone metastasis: A case of effective devascularization before preoperative embolization

Image-guided cryoablation has become a common approach for the palliative treatment of painful metastatic bone lesions, and indications for this procedure have expanded to include local control of bone metastases. We report a case in which cryoablation was performed on a large hypervascular renal cell carcinoma bone metastasis before surgical fixation of an impending fracture. In this case, cryoablation reduced the patient's pain but also appeared to result in devascularization of the tumor, thus obviating the need for preoperative embolization. This case raises the possibility that image-guided cryoablation may represent an alternative to preoperative embolization for vascular tumors while also serving a palliative function.

Computed Tomography‒Guided Microwave Ablation Combined with Osteoplasty for the Treatment of Bone Metastases: A Multicenter Clinical Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined microwave ablation (MWA) and osteoplasty as a palliative therapy for painful bone metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

As an extension of a previous limited single-center study, a retrospective review was conducted for 147 patients (77 male, 70 female) with painful bone metastases who underwent MWA combined with osteoplasty. In total, 102 (69.4%), 41 (27.9%), and 4 (2.7%) patients had spinal metastases, extraspinal metastases, and both, respectively. Treatment efficacy was determined by comparing visual analog scale (VAS) scores, daily morphine equivalent opioid consumption, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores before treatment and during the follow-up period (mean follow-up, 9.8 months; range 3-16).

RESULTS

The mean VAS score significantly declined from 6.4 ± 2.3 before treatment to 3.2 ± 2.1, 1.9 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.6, and 1.9 ± 1.6 at 24 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after treatment, respectively (P < .01). Furthermore, the mean daily morphine equivalent opioid consumption was significantly reduced from 81.5 ± 32.8 mg before treatment to 40.0 ± 20.6, 32.4 ± 10.2, 26.4 ± 10.0, 21.5 ± 8.3, and 19.3 ± 7.4 mg. The mean ODI score also declined after treatment (P < .0001). Major complications occurred in 4 of 147 patients, with 1 pathologic fracture, 1 nerve injury, and 2 mild skin infections. Minor cement leakages were observed at 69 sites (32.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

MWA combined with osteoplasty is an effective and safe treatment for painful bone metastases.

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.

Surgical treatment of peri-acetabular metastatic disease: Retrospective, multicentre study of 91 THA cases

INTRODUCTION

The occurrence of peri-acetabular metastasis (PAM) is a turning point in the progression of cancer because the disabling pain prevents the patient from walking or makes it difficult. Recent progress in controlling cancers that spread to the bone and controlling local bone destruction justify this national study. Since the data in France is incomplete or based on small studies, we analysed a multicentre retrospective cohort of patients with PAM who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) to evaluate 1) the clinical and radiological outcomes and 2) the factors impacting patient survival.

HYPOTHESIS

The clinical outcomes, complication rate and survivorship are comparable to that of recent published studies.

METHODS

Ninety-one patients (27 men, 64 women) with a mean age of 62.7±10.5 years (extremes 38 and 88) with PAM secondary to breast cancer [42 patients (46%)] or lung cancer [20 patients (22%)] underwent THA. The metastasis was the first sign of cancer in 33 cases (36%). Concurrent visceral metastases were present in 30 patients (33%), multiple peripheral bone metastasis in 48 patients (53%) and synchronous spine metastasis in 39 patients (43%). The most common construct was a cemented stem with metal reinforcement cage and cemented dual mobility cup [71 times (78%), while 85/91 had a dual mobility cup (93%)].

RESULTS

Elimination or reduction of pain was reported in 81 patients (91%). Overall walking ability was deemed normal or acceptable in 74 patients (83%). Six patients died (7%) before the end of the 3rd month. There were seven general complications (8%) including five thromboembolic events. There were 22 complications related to the surgical procedure in 20 patients (22%) that required surgical revision, including 10 surgical site infections (11%) and 3 dislocations (3%) (one concerning a dual mobility cup and 2 after single mobility cup). The median survivorship all causes combined was 19.5 months; it was 23.7 months for patients with breast cancer and 8.9 months for those with lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

Despite different endpoints being used, the clinical outcomes in our study are like those in other published studies, as were the incidence of surgery-related complications and the survivorship. The recommended surgical technique is the implantation of an acetabular reinforcement cage, curettage with cement filling of osteolytic areas, dual mobility cup and cemented stem followed by radiation therapy. The role of THA versus interventional radiology procedures must still be determined.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study without control group.

Functional results and survival after surgery for peripheral skeletal metastasis: A 434-case multicenter retrospective series

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral skeletal metastasis (PSM) has a negative impact on quality of life. New treatments for the primary tumor or the osteolysis hold out hope of improved survival. The few published French series were small, and we therefore undertook a multicenter retrospective analysis of PSM surgery between 2005 and December 2016, with the aim of assessing: 1) rate and type of complications, 2) functional results, and 3) overall survival and corresponding risk factors.

HYPOTHESIS

The French data for clinical results, survival and complications are in agreement with the international literature.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The series comprised 391 patients with 434 metastatic locations. There was female predominance: 247 women (63%). Two sites were treated in 46 patients (12%), and three in 5. The main etiologies were breast cancer (151/391: 39%), lung cancer (103/391: 26%) and kidney cancer (52/391: 13%). There was synchronous visceral metastasis in 166 patients (42.5%), other peripheral locations in 137 (35%) and spinal location in 142 (39%). One hundred (27%) had ASA score>3; 61 (16%) had WHO score>3. The reason for surgery was pathologic fracture (n=137: 35%). Locations were femoral (274: 70%), acetabular (58: 15%), humeral (40: 0%), tibial (12: 3%) or other (7: 2%).

RESULTS

There were surgery site complications in 41 patients (9.4%), including 13 surgery site infections, and general complications in 47 patients (11%), including 11 cases of thromboembolism, 6 of blood loss, 9 pulmonary complications and 6 perioperative deaths. Overall survival, taking all etiologies and sites together, was 10 months (range, 5 days to 9 years; 95% CI, 8-13 months), and significantly better in females (14 versus 6 months; p=0.01), under-65 year-olds (p=0.001), and in preventive surgery versus fractured PSM (p=0.001). Median survival was 22 months (95% CI, 17-28 months) after breast cancer, 3 months (95% CI, 2-5 months) after lung cancer, and 17 months (95% CI, 8-58 months) after kidney cancer. Preoperatively, walking was impossible for 143 patients (38%), versus 23 (6.5%) postoperatively; 229 patients (63.5%) could walk normally or nearly normally after surgery, versus 110 (28%) before. After surgery, 3 patients (6%) were not using their operated upper limb, versus 27 (45%) before; 30 patients (54%) had normal upper limb use after surgery, versus 8 (5%) before.

CONCLUSION

The study hypothesis was on the whole confirmed in terms of survival according to type of primary and whether surgery was indicated preventively or for fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study without control group.