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Kalanjiyam GP, Chandramohan T, Raman M, Kalyanasundaram H. Artificial intelligence: a new cutting-edge tool in spine surgery. Asian Spine J 2024; 18:458-471. [PMID: 38917854 PMCID: PMC11222879 DOI: 10.31616/asj.2023.0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this narrative review was to comprehensively elaborate the various components of artificial intelligence (AI), their applications in spine surgery, practical concerns, and future directions. Over the years, spine surgery has been continuously transformed in various aspects, including diagnostic strategies, surgical approaches, procedures, and instrumentation, to provide better-quality patient care. Surgeons have also augmented their surgical expertise with rapidly growing technological advancements. AI is an advancing field that has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of spine surgery. We performed a comprehensive narrative review of the various aspects of AI and machine learning in spine surgery. To elaborate on the current role of AI in spine surgery, a review of the literature was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles published in English in the last 20 years. The initial search using the keywords "artificial intelligence" AND "spine," "machine learning" AND "spine," and "deep learning" AND "spine" extracted a total of 78, 60, and 37 articles and 11,500, 4,610, and 2,270 articles on PubMed and Google Scholar. After the initial screening and exclusion of unrelated articles, duplicates, and non-English articles, 405 articles were identified. After the second stage of screening, 93 articles were included in the review. Studies have shown that AI can be used to analyze patient data and provide personalized treatment recommendations in spine care. It also provides valuable insights for planning surgeries and assisting with precise surgical maneuvers and decisionmaking during the procedures. As more data become available and with further advancements, AI is likely to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guna Pratheep Kalanjiyam
- Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai,
India
| | - Thiyagarajan Chandramohan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai,
India
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai,
India
| | - Muthu Raman
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tenkasi Government Hospital, Tenkasi,
India
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Davidar AD, Jiang K, Weber-Levine C, Bhimreddy M, Theodore N. Advancements in Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2024; 35:263-272. [PMID: 38423742 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Applications and workflows around spinal robotics have evolved since these systems were first introduced in 2004. Initially approved for lumbar pedicle screw placement, the scope of robotics has expanded to instrumentation across different regions. Additionally, precise navigation can aid in tumor resection or spinal lesion ablation. Robot-assisted surgery can improve accuracy while decreasing radiation exposure, length of hospital stay, complication, and revision rates. Disadvantages include increased operative time, dependence on preoperative imaging among others. The future of robotic spine surgery includes automated surgery, telerobotic surgery, and the inclusion of machine learning or artificial intelligence in preoperative planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Daniel Davidar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carly Weber-Levine
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Meghana Bhimreddy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas Theodore
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Orthopaedic Surgery & Biomedical Engineering, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Mousavi SR, Akbari S, Rasekhi A, Kazeminezhad A, Motlagh MAS, Taherpour S. A less aggressive approach to the treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangioma of the thoracic spine: A case report and literature review. Int J Surg Case Rep 2023; 105:108027. [PMID: 36965444 PMCID: PMC10073888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different treatments are available for aggressive vertebral hemangioma [AVH], but a consensus is yet to be reached about the best therapeutic approach. PURPOSE To explore the possibility that selecting a less aggressive therapeutic approach for AVH decreases the intraoperative and postoperative complications while providing similar clinical, radiographic, and disease-free survival results to more aggressive therapeutic methods. STUDY We report the case of an AVH of the thoracic spine at the T5 level, treated via perioperative selective arterial embolization plus surgical decompression via laminectomy and reconstruction with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty. PATIENT The patient was a 17-year-old male referred to our center with the chief complaint of low back pain from two months earlier, without any response to analgesics, and with neurologic manifestations as paraparesis (one month) and progressive sphincter problems (one week). Upon imaging, the impression was an aggressive spinal tumor with cord compression. OUTCOME MEASURES After the operation, the patient's pain immediately improved, and his neurologic manifestations progressively improved. RESULTS The patient started walking with help about three weeks after the operation. Roughly six months later, he achieved a complete neurological recovery. At present, about two years following the operation, he has a normal life without any neurological problems. CONCLUSION Based on our experience with AVH, the selection of less aggressive therapeutic approaches such as perioperative diagnostic angiography and selective embolization decrease the intraoperative and postoperative complications like intraoperative bleeding and neurological injury, while achieving similar clinical, radiographic, and disease-free survival outcomes to more aggressive therapeutic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Reza Mousavi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of medical science, Shiraz, Iran; Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of medical science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Akbari
- Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Rasekhi
- Department of Radiology, Shiraz University of medical science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Kazeminezhad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peymanieh Hospital, Trauma Research Center, Jahrom University, Iran
| | | | - Sanaz Taherpour
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of medical science, Shiraz, Iran.
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Practice patterns in the United States for ablation of osseous tumors using Medicare claims analysis. Clin Imaging 2022; 83:172-176. [PMID: 35092925 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe national practice trends in bone radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation for osseous lesions by physician specialty and site-of-service from 2015 to 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study used data from the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services public use files for 2015-2018. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for bone RFA (20982) and cryoablation (20983) were analyzed. Based on the specialty code, the specialty was sorted into five categories: radiology (diagnostic and interventional), orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, pain management (pain management, anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and interventional pain management), and all others. Annual volume of billed services was additionally evaluated by site of service and provider specialty. RESULTS Aggregate claims dramatically increased from 2015 to 2018. The enrollment adjusted overall growth averaged 45.2.% year-over-year, strongly driven by growth in RFA. Annual market share for radiology decreased slightly from 80.6% to 73.3% with neurosurgery making the largest gain, increasing from 4.7% to 11.3% from 2015 to 2018. Clinical site-of-service analysis demonstrated that outpatient is the main site-of-service for ablation (62.7% cumulatively from 2015 to 2018). Growth rates of outpatient and inpatient services are about the same over this time. CONCLUSIONS There has been significant growth in osseous ablation between 2015 and 2018, with the growth dominated by Radiologists, although the overall growth rate and the market share of radiology are declining as the growth is outstripped by neurosurgery and orthopedics. Further consideration of these trends will be important for interventional radiologists to assure their involvement and expertise in ablation procedures.
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Kalidindi KKV, Sharma JK, Jagadeesh NH, Sath S, Chhabra HS. Robotic spine surgery: a review of the present status. J Med Eng Technol 2020; 44:431-437. [PMID: 32886014 DOI: 10.1080/03091902.2020.1799098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
With technological advancements being introduced and dominating many fields, spine surgery is no exception. In view of the patient safety and surgeon's comfort, robotics has been introduced in spine surgery. Due to small corridors for work, little room for inaccuracy, lengthy and tedious procedures, spine surgery is an ideal scenario for robotics to establish as the standard of care. Spine robotics received their first FDA clearance in 2004. New generation of spine robotics with integrated navigation systems has become available now. The primary role of spine robotics, at present, is to aid pedicle screw fixation. High quality studies have been performed to establish its role in increasing the accuracy of pedicle fixation. Studies have also reported decreased radiation and decreased operative time with spine robotics. However, few studies have reported otherwise. It is still in its nascent stage in both industrial view and surgeon familiarity. Continued research to overcome the challenges such as high cost and steep learning curve is crucial for its widespread use. Also, expanding the scope of spine robotics beyond pedicle screw fixation such as osteotomies and dural procedures would be an area for potential research. This review is intended to provide an overview of various studies in the field of robotic spine surgery and its present status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeevan Kumar Sharma
- Department of Spine Service, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sulaiman Sath
- Department of Spine Service, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, India
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Qiu B, Joo P, Ajabnoor R, Boyce B, Mesfin A. Surgical management of aggressive hemangiomas of the spine. J Clin Neurosci 2020; 78:67-72. [PMID: 32620473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Our objective is to describe the surgical management and outcomes following surgical intervention for aggressive spine hemangiomas. Patients from 2005 to 2018 with an aggressive hemangioma of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine and sacrum treated surgically at a tertiary referral academic medical center were included in this study. The hospital pathology department database was used to identify patients with a diagnosis of aggressive hemangioma. Patient demographics, medical history, operative procedure, adjunct treatment, early and late complications, and recurrence were analyzed using the Fischer exact test with significance set at p < 0.05 Ten patients met inclusion criteria for the study. The average follow up was 11 months. Eight out of ten patients had aggressive hemangioma of the thoracic spine. Seven of the ten patients presented with back or leg pain. The most common surgery was laminectomy at the site of the lesion (70%). 40% of patients underwent a spinal fusion, with two of these patients receiving concurrent intra-operative vertebroplasty. Three patients underwent post-operative radiation therapy. Five complications were noted among three individuals. There were three perioperative complications, deep venous thrombosis, renal insufficiency, one surgical site infection, and two postoperative complications, both revisions. There were no recurrences. Surgical intervention for aggressive spine hemangiomas is an effective treatment with relatively low complication and recurrence rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Qiu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Peter Joo
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Rana Ajabnoor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Brendan Boyce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Addisu Mesfin
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States.
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Garg B, Mehta N, Malhotra R. Robotic spine surgery: Ushering in a new era. J Clin Orthop Trauma 2020; 11:753-760. [PMID: 32904238 PMCID: PMC7452360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcot.2020.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The endeavour to make spine surgery safe with reproducible, consistent outcomes has led to growing interest and research in the field of intraoperative imaging, navigation and robotics. The advent of surgical robot systems in spine surgery is relatively recent - with only a few systems approved for commercial use. At present, pedicle screw insertion remains the primary application of robotic systems in spine surgery. The purported advantages of robot-assisted pedicle screw insertion over other conventional techniques are its increased accuracy, reproducible consistency and reduced radiation exposure. Many of these claims have been supported or refuted by individual studies - and high quality evidence for the same is lacking. Robotic spine surgery also has its share of limitations which include increased operative time, considerable learning curve and technical pitfalls unique to the robotic systems. The applications of robotic spine surgery are evolving and expanding to spinal deformity, spine oncology and needle-based interventional treatments. This review provides an overview of the evolution and current status of robotic spine surgery along with an evidence-based discussion of its current applications in spine surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nishank Mehta
- Corresponding author. Department of Orthopaedics, 110029, India.
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D'Souza M, Gendreau J, Feng A, Kim LH, Ho AL, Veeravagu A. Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery: History, Efficacy, Cost, And Future Trends. ROBOTIC SURGERY : RESEARCH AND REVIEWS 2019; 6:9-23. [PMID: 31807602 PMCID: PMC6844237 DOI: 10.2147/rsrr.s190720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Robot-assisted spine surgery has recently emerged as a viable tool to enable less invasive and higher precision surgery. The first-ever spine robot, the SpineAssist (Mazor Robotics Ltd., Caesarea, Israel), gained FDA approval in 2004. With its ability to provide real-time intraoperative navigation and rigid stereotaxy, robotic-assisted surgery has the potential to increase accuracy while decreasing radiation exposure, complication rates, operative time, and recovery time. Currently, robotic assistance is mainly restricted to spinal fusion and instrumentation procedures, but recent studies have demonstrated its use in increasingly complex procedures such as spinal tumor resections and ablations, vertebroplasties, and deformity correction. However, robots do require high initial costs and training, and thus, require justification for their incorporation into common practice. In this review, we discuss the history of spinal robots along as well as currently available systems. We then examine the literature to evaluate accuracy, operative time, complications, radiation exposure, and costs – comparing robotic-assisted to traditional fluoroscopy-assisted freehand approaches. Finally, we consider future applications for robots in spine surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Austin Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lily H Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allen L Ho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anand Veeravagu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Sung KS, Choi HJ, Choi JH, Kwon YM, Song YJ, Choi SS, Kim KU. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for aggressive vertebral haemangioma and useful follow-up imaging modality: case report and review of the literature. Br J Neurosurg 2019:1-5. [DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2019.1648756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Su Sung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Novalis Radiosurgery Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Jun Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Kwon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Novalis Radiosurgery Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Seob Choi
- Department of Radiology, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Uk Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Novalis Radiosurgery Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Siccoli A, Klukowska AM, Schröder ML, Staartjes VE. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perioperative Parameters in Robot-Guided, Navigated, and Freehand Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Instrumentation. World Neurosurg 2019; 127:576-587.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.03.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Wang B, Zhang L, Yang S, Han S, Jiang L, Wei F, Yuan H, Liu X, Liu Z. Atypical Radiographic Features of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019; 101:979-986. [PMID: 31169574 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.18.00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertebral hemangioma (VH) is one of the most common benign spinal tumors and can be aggressive in some cases. While most aggressive VHs have typical radiographic features, including vertical striations, a honeycomb appearance, and/or a "polka-dot sign" in computed tomography (CT) scans, cases with atypical features might complicate diagnosis. This study aimed to determine the range and frequency of these atypical features. METHODS In this retrospective study, to identify the typical and atypical features of aggressive VH, pretreatment CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed retrospectively by 1 radiologist and 1 orthopaedic surgeon. Percutaneous biopsies were performed to confirm the VH in atypical cases. RESULTS A total of 95 patients with aggressive VHs were treated in our hospital from January 2005 to December 2017. Thirty-four (36%) of the lesions showed at least 1 atypical radiographic feature: 16 patients (17%) had a vertebral compression fracture, 11 patients (12%) had expansive and/or osteolytic bone destruction without a honeycomb appearance and/or "polka-dot sign", 11 patients (12%) had obvious epidural osseous compression of the spinal cord, 12 patients (13%) had involvement of >1 segment, 9 patients (10%) had a VH centered in the pedicle and/or lamina, and 8 patients (8%) had atypical MRI signals. Forty-three patients underwent percutaneous biopsies, which had an accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS Based on radiographic analysis, aggressive VH can be classified as typical or atypical. More than one-third of aggressive VH lesions may have at least 1 atypical feature. CT-guided biopsies are indicated for these atypical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Wang
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Pathology (S.Y.), Peking University Health and Science Center (B.W.), Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shaomin Yang
- Department of Pathology (S.Y.), Peking University Health and Science Center (B.W.), Beijing, China
| | - Songbo Han
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Jiang
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huishu Yuan
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Liu
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongjun Liu
- Orthopaedic Department (B.W., L.J., F.W., X.L., and Z.L.) and Department of Radiology (L.Z., S.H., and H.Y.), Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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Thermal effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with a clustered electrode for vertebral tumors: In vitro and vivo experiments and clinical application. J Bone Oncol 2018; 12:69-77. [PMID: 30094136 PMCID: PMC6072893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate effects and heat distribution of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on vertebral tumors in vitro and in vivo swine experiments and its clinical application. Materials and methods RFA was performed on the swine spine in vitro and in vivo for 20 min at 90 °C at the electrode tip, and the temperature at the electrode tip and surrounding tissues were recorded. Clinical application of ablation combined with vertebroplasty was subsequently performed in 4 patients with spinal tumors. Results In the in vitro study, the mean temperature at the front and ventral wall of the spinal canal was 50.8 °C and 43.6 °C, respectively, at 20 mm significantly greater than 37.7 °C and 33.7 ± 1.7 °C, respectively, at 10 mm ablation depth. The coagulative necrosis area was significantly (P < 0.0001) greater at 20 mm depth than at 10 mm depth (mean 17.0 × 20.7 mm2 vs. 14.2 × 16.6 mm2). In the in vivo experiment, the local temperature increased significantly (P < 0.05) from around 36 °C before ablation to over 41 °C at 20 min after ablation, with the temperature at the electrode tip (90.4 °C) and within the vertebral body (67.0 °C) significantly (P < 0.05) greater than at the posterior (41.9 °C) and lateral wall (41.8 °C). From 2 to 5 weeks, bone remodeling began. Clinically, all four patients had successful RFA and vertebroplasty, with no neurological deficits. The pain scores were significanlty (P < 0.05) improved before (4.5–10, mean 8.0) compared with at four weeks (0–1.8, mean 1.8). Conclusion The clustered electrode can be efficiently and safely applied in the treatment of spinal tumors without damaging the spinal cord and adjacent nerves by heat distribution.
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