Three-dimensional C-arm computed tomography combined with fluoroscopic guided pediculoplasty for treatment of vertebral body metastasis with lytic pedicle

Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty as palliative treatment for cancer-related vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and kyphoplasty (KP) are minimally invasive treatment options for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) due to malignancy.

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness and safety of vertebral augmentation for malignant VCFs.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

STUDY SAMPLE

Studies on PVP or KP for VCFs in patients with malignant spinal lesions.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), and complications were extracted from eligible studies.

METHODS

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, studies published between January 1, 2000 and January 3, 2018 were identified by combining the results of a report by Health Quality Ontario with an updated literature search.

RESULTS

The review identified two randomized controlled trials, 16 prospective studies, 44 retrospective studies, and 25 case series for a patient sample size of 3,426. At the earliest follow-up, pain improved from 7.48 to 3.00 with PVP, and from 7.05 to 2.96 with KP. ODI improved from 74.68 to 17.73 with PVP, and from 66.02 to 34.73 with KP. KPS improved from 66.99 to 80.28. Cement leakage was seen in 37.9% and 13.6% of patients treated with PVP and KP, respectively. Symptomatic complications (N = 43) were rare.

CONCLUSIONS

This review showed clinically relevant improvements in pain, ODI, and KPS in patients with VCFs due to malignancy treated with either PVP or KP. Cement leakage is common, but rarely symptomatic. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and KP are safe and effective palliative procedures for painful VCFs in patients with malignant spinal lesions.

Vertebroplasty in the treatment of symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas without neurological deficit

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of vertebroplasty in symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas (VHs) with no neurological deficit, with or without features of aggressiveness in imaging studies.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted to review 31 consecutive patients with symptomatic VHs that underwent vertebroplasty procedures (13 males, 18 females; mean age, 57.5 years), for a total of 33 affected vertebral levels (range, T4-L5 levels). Pre procedure radiological examinations were reviewed. The presence of predominant soft tissue stroma on CT, low signals on T1W of MRI, epidural tissue, and cortical erosion are considered features of aggressiveness. The clinical effects were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) at the pre and each postoperative follow-up time point (mean follow-up of 15.8 months).

RESULTS

Symptomatic VHs with no signs of aggressiveness were observed in 26 lesions and those with signs of aggressiveness in 7 lesions. Vertebroplasty was successfully performed under fluoroscopic guidance with a unipedicular approach in 16 levels, a bipedicular approach in 17 levels. VAS scores and RDQ scores were significantly improved after vertebroplasty (P < 0.001). Extraosseous cement leakage was observed in 4 patients without clinical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertebroplasty is an optional treatment for symptomatic VHs with no neurological deficit.

KEY POINTS

• Vertebral haemangiomas with or without aggressive signs may cause pain. • Radiological signs of aggressiveness include evidence of lesions that contain less fat predominance, evidence of epidural soft tissue and evidence of cortical erosion. • Vertebroplasty provides effective treatment for symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas causing no neurological deficit.