Phase I/II Multi-Institutional Study of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Painful Osteoid Osteoma (JIVROSG-0704)

PURPOSE

This multicenter prospective study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for painful osteoid osteoma (OO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with OO (femur: n = 17, tibia: n = 2, humerus: n = 1, rib: n = 1) were enrolled and treated with RFA. In phase I, nine patients were evaluated for safety. In phase II, 12 patients were accrued, and an intent-to-treat analysis was performed on all patients. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the treatment safety. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the efficacy for pain relief by the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 4 weeks after RFA. Treatment efficacy was classified as significantly effective (SE) when VAS score decreased by ≥5 or score was <2, moderately effective when VAS score decreased by <5-≥2 and score was ≥2, and not effective (NE) when VAS score decreased by <2 or score was increased. Cases where the need for analgesics increased after treatment were also NE.

RESULTS

RFA procedures were completed in all patients. Minor adverse effects (AEs) were observed as 4.8-14.3 % in 12 patients, and no major AEs were observed. Mean VAS score was 7.1 before treatment, 1.6 at 1 week, 0.3 at 4 weeks, and 0.2 at 3 months. All procedures were classified as SE. Pain recurrence was not noted in any patient during follow-up (mean: 15.1 months).

CONCLUSION

RFA is a safe, highly effective, and fast-acting treatment for painful extraspinal OO. Future studies with a greater number of patients are needed.

Pubic Bone Resection Provides Objective Pain Control in the Prostate Cancer Survivor With Pubic Bone Osteomyelitis With an Associated Urinary Tract to Pubic Symphysis Fistula

OBJECTIVE

To investigate pain intensity perception in prostate cancer survivors with pubic bone osteomyelitis with an associated urinary tract to pubic symphysis fistula before and after definitive surgical management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a review of an institutional review board-approved database of prostate cancer survivors with pubic bone osteomyelitis from 2010 to 2015. Demographic and clinical data were extracted. Pain scores were assessed in patients at varying points before and after definitive treatment using an 11-point numeric rating scale. Statistical analysis was performed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test and NcNemar's test.

RESULTS

We identified 16 patients with a median age of 72 who met inclusion criteria. Chronic narcotic use for pain management was noted in 6 of 16 (37.5%) patients preoperatively. No statistical difference was identified between the pain score at the time of diagnosis and after completion of conservative measures (5.5 vs 5.5, P = .76). A statistically significant decrease in median pain score at the first follow-up appointment was seen compared to the preoperative pain score (0 vs. 5.5, P = .0005). At a median follow-up of 9.4 months (interquartile range 3.7-16.5), a sustained decrease in the median pain intensity score was noted in our cohort compared to their preoperative baseline pain score (5.5 vs 0, P = .0005) and pain score at the time of diagnosis (5.5 vs 0, P = .004.) CONCLUSION: Pubic bone resection provides immediate and sustained improvement in pain intensity perception in the prostate cancer survivor with pubic bone osteomyelitis with an associated urinary tract to pubic symphysis fistula.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis improves pain in gallbladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

In gallbladder cancer (GBC), nearly 80% of patients present with pain in the upper abdomen. Narcotic analgesics are usually effective in relieving cancer pain, but induce adverse effects. Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is an effective alternative to reduce pain caused by upper abdominal cancer; however, no published data is available on endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) for pain relief in GBC.

METHODS

Patient with unresectable GBC with upper abdominal pain of severity ≥ 3 on visual analogue scale (VAS), not responding to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tramadol were recruited prospectively over a 2-year period. EUS-CPN was done using the central approach in all the patients. Pain severity was assessed using a VAS, prior to EUS-CPN and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after CPN.

RESULTS

The technical success was achieved in 19 of 21 patients in whom the procedure was attempted. There was a significant improvement in pain severity as measured by VAS compared with the baseline at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment (p < .001); at 8 weeks, pain severity was less but was not statistically significant. At week 2, nearly 95% of patients had either complete or partial relief of pain. This response declined to 63% and 61% at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. There was a significant reduction in daily requirement of analgesics in all the patients at 2 and 4 weeks compared with baseline (p < .001); at week 8, there was no significant reduction in analgesic dose.

CONCLUSION

EUS-CPN has a high technically success in most patients with GBC. It improved pain in about 60% to 70% patients and lowered daily analgesic dose requirement for up to 4 weeks. There was no procedure-related complication.

Percutaneous osteoplasty for the management of a humeral head metastasis: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) has been proved effective to relieve pain in metastases of vertebral, pelvis, and femur. Nevertheless, there are few reports about the effectiveness of POP in the humeral head metastases. In this study, we described 2 patients with humeral head metastases treated with POP in our hospital.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Case 1 was a 79-year-old man with vertebral and right humeral head metastasis after radical surgery or and periods of chemotherapy for bladder cancer. He suffered constant severe back and right shoulder joint pain even if taking much non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Case 2 was a 59-year-old woman with vertebral and right humeral head metastasis from lung cancer. She received regular radiotherapy and took much painkillers to relieve pain. However, the pain could not be relieved any more after 1 month and severely affects sleeping and daily activities.

DIAGNOSIS

Both 2 patients were diagnosed as vertebral metastases and right proximal humeral head metastases.

INTERVENTIONS

POP was performed to treat the right humeral head metastases. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) was performed to treat vertebral metastases.

OUTCOMES

After surgery, the patients experienced significant decrease in pain and better motor function. Both patients did not suffer from pulmonary embolism, infection, nerve injury, and bone cement syndrome.

LESSONS

For the pain that cannot be relieved by radiotherapy and analgesic drugs, POP is a safe and beneficial minimally invasive procedure that provides immediate and substantial relief from pain for humerus head metastases.

Everything old is new again. revisiting hypophysectomy for the treatment of refractory cancer-related pain: a systematic review

Cancer-related pain is a common and debilitating condition that can significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Opioids, NSAIDs, and antidepressants are among the first-line therapies, but their efficacy is limited or their use can be restricted due to serious side effects. Neuromodulation and lesioning techniques have also proven to be a valuable instrument for managing refractory pain. For patients who have exhausted all standard treatment options, hypophysectomy may be an effective alternative treatment. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the available literature on PubMed and Scielo databases on using hypophysectomy to treat refractory cancer-related pain. Data extraction from included studies included study design, treatment model, number of treated patients, sex, age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, primary cancer site, lead time from diagnosis to treatment, alcohol injection volume, treatment data, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis was reported using counts (N, %) and means (range). The study included data from 735 patients from 24 papers treated with hypophysectomy for refractory cancer-related pain. 329 cancer-related pain patients were treated with NALP, 216 with TSS, 66 with RF, 55 with Y90 brachytherapy, 51 with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GK), and 18 with cryoablation. The median age was 58.5 years. The average follow-up time was 8.97 months. Good pain relief was observed in 557 out of 735 patients, with complete pain relief in 108 out of 268 patients. Pain improvement onset was observed 24 h after TSS, a few days after NALP or cryoablation, and a few days to 4 weeks after GK. Complications varied among treatment modalities, with diabetes insipidus (DI) being the most common complication. Although mostly forgotten in modern neurosurgical practice, hypophysectomy is an attractive option for treating refractory cancer-related pain after failure of traditional therapies. Radiosurgery is a promising treatment modality due to its high success rate and reduced risk of complications.

Open Thoracic Cordotomy for Cancer Pain with Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: A Case Series and Critical Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

Cordotomy is a viable option for patients with intractable cancer pain and limited survival. Open thoracic cordotomy is offered when patients are not candidates for percutaneous cordotomy. After the open procedure, traditionally performed purely based on anatomic landmarks, up to 22% of patients experience postoperative limb weakness. The objective of this study is to report our experience with neurophysiology-guided open cordotomy along with a critical review of the literature.

METHODS

Between 2019 and 2022, 5 open thoracic cordotomies were performed in our center. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring was used in all cases to guide the lesion and standard single-level laminectomy or hemilaminectomy was performed for exposure. Outcome measures were retrospectively reviewed focusing on pain control and neurologic status. Existing literature on cordotomy was critically reviewed.

RESULTS

There was satisfactory pain relief with preservation of motor function in all 5 cases. Temperature sensation was preserved in all but 1 patient, who lost it after the previous ipsilateral percutaneous cordotomy (PCC). No procedural complications were experienced. We found that the neurophysiology monitoring lesion was guided anterior compared with what would have been lesioned on an anatomic basis.

CONCLUSIONS

Open thoracic cordotomy is a safe and effective procedure for intractable cancer-related pain. Technical advancements significantly reduced mortality and major morbidity of PCC. Our series suggests that neurophysiology monitoring alters the location of the lesion and may help better targeting of pain fibers within the spinothalamic tract and preserve other long tracts. The safety profile of open cordotomy with neurophysiology compares favorably with the PCC.

Neuroablative surgical treatments for pain due to cancer

Cancer pain is common and challenging to manage - it is estimated that approximately 30% of cancer patients have pain that is not adequately controlled by analgesia. This paper discusses safe and effective neuroablative treatment options for refractory cancer pain. Current management of cancer pain predominantly focuses on the use of medications, resulting in a relative loss of knowledge of these surgical techniques and the erosion of the skills required to perform them. Here, we review surgical methods of modulating various points of the neural axis with the aim to expand the knowledge base of those managing cancer pain. Integration of neuroablative approaches may lead to higher rates of pain relief, and the opportunity to dose reduce analgesic agents with potential deleterious side effects. With an ever-increasing population of cancer patients, it is essential that neurosurgeons maintain or train in these techniques in tandem with the oncological multi-disciplinary team.

Navigation-guided percutaneous pelvic cementoplasty for metastatic bone pain: A case report

RATIONALE

Percutaneous cementoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide immediate pain relief and improve range of motion in patients with metastatic bone pain. Conventionally, this procedure is guided by computed tomography (CT). However, to minimize exposure to radiation, we performed percutaneous cementoplasty under the guidance of a navigation system.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 60-year-old man presented with left hip pain for several months due to bone metastasis in the left ilium.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with lung cancer and multiple bone metastases including ileum.

INTERVENTIONS

The puncture needle was placed under the guidance of a navigation system with pre-procedure CT images, and bone cement was injected into the osteolytic lesion in the left ilium.

OUTCOMES

Bone cement placement was confirmed by post-procedure radiography, and its distribution was satisfactory. The patient's Karnofsky Performance Scale and Brief Pain Inventory scores showed improvement in pain and mobility without complications.

LESSONS

Percutaneous cementoplasty guided by a navigation system is a safer and more effective method with less radiation compared with conventional CT-guided methods.

[NEUROSURGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR INTRACTABLE ONCOLOGICAL PAIN]

Pain is one of the most common symptoms among cancer patients, and particularly in those who suffer from metastatic or terminal disease. There is great importance in delivering good pain management to these patients in order to alleviate their suffering, improve their functional status and their overall quality of life. In most cases, pain management is based on pharmacotherapy with opioids and other medications. However, there are selected patients for whom pharmacotherapy does not achieve acceptable pain relief or is associated with marked side effects. These patients, who suffer from refractory cancer pain, may benefit from neurosurgical procedures selectively intervening in different locations along the pain signaling pathways. This article summarizes several of these neurosurgical procedures: percutaneous cordotomy for unilateral pain, punctuate midline myelotomy for visceral pain and stereotactic cingulotomy for diffuse pain syndromes. This article demonstrates the use of careful patient selection by an interdisciplinary team which is critical for the success of these procedures. The team consists of palliative care specialists, pain specialists and a neurosurgeon. These neurosurgical interventions are presented through representative clinical cases, followed by a discussion of the clinical considerations that guided the choice of the therapeutic approach for each case.

Image-guided cryoablation for palliation of painful bone metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of cryoablation in controlling pain from metastatic bone lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane library, and Web of Science was conducted from inception to April 2024, focusing on cryoablation for palliation of painful bone metastases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: studies involving patients over 18 years of age who were affected by bone metastases; bone metastases treated with stand-alone cryoablation; studies reporting patients' pain levels before and at least at one time point after cryoablation; and studies published in English.

RESULTS

A total of 844 articles were initially screened, resulting in 12 articles involving 309 patients included. Pain assessments were conducted at various time points ranging from 1 day to 6 months after the cryoablation procedure. Included studies reported significant improvements in pain scores based on the visual analog scale (VAS), the numeric rating scale (NRS) and brief pain inventory-short form (BPI-SF) following treatment at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The most notable mean difference between pre- and post-procedure pain scores was observed at 12 weeks, with a standardized mean difference of -3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.29 to -2.00; p < 0.001). Regarding pain relief outcomes, by the fourth week, the proportion of patients experiencing pain relief was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.75; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cryoablation could be an effective method for palliation of painful bone metastases. Further studies are needed to compare its efficacy with other palliative methods and to define its role in cancer management.

Effect of Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of Thoracic Nerve Roots in Patients with Cancer and Intractable Chest Wall Pain

BACKGROUND

Interventional pain management is essential for patients with cancer who experience medically uncontrollable chest wall pain to help control their symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, there is a lack of data on this topic, so there is an urgent need for further research.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the thoracic nerve roots on pain outcomes in patients with cancer and intractable chest wall pain.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

National Cancer Center in Korea.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with cancer who were referred to the pain clinic at our National Cancer Center for intractable chest wall pain and who underwent thoracic nerve root RFA between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2015 were analyzed. The primary outcome was the change in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores between pre-procedure and one week, one month, and 6 months post-procedure. The secondary outcomes were the change in morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) between pre-procedure and one week, one month, and 6 months post-procedure, and whether the primary cancer type (lung vs. non-lung) or radiotherapy to the chest within one month affected the outcomes of RFA. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare RFA data between pre and post-procedure and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were included in the final analysis. The median NRS score in patients who underwent RFA decreased from 7 (range 3-10) pre-procedure to 4 (0-9) at one week and one-month post-procedure (both P < 0.001) and 4 (1-8) at 6 months post-procedure (P < 0.001). The median MEDD value decreased from 200 (range 30-1800) mg pre-procedure to 180 (10-1600) mg at one week post-procedure (P < 0.001), but there was no statistically significant change at one month (P = 0.699) or 6 months (P = 0.151) post-procedure. There was no difference in RFA outcome according to type of primary cancer or radiotherapy to the chest within one month.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the thoracic nerve roots achieved effective short-term pain control in patients with cancer and intractable chest wall pain.

KEY WORDS

Radiofrequency ablation, thermocoagulation, thoracic nerve root, cancer, chest wall pain, radiotherapy, pain relief.

Fluoroscopically-Guided Superior Hypogastric Plexus Neurolysis Using a Single Needle: A Modified Technique for a Posterolateral Transdiscal Approach

BACKGROUND

A superior hypogastric plexus block is difficult to perform and hampered by bony structures of the iliac crest and transverse process of L5.

OBJECTIVE

We report on a fluoroscopically guided posterolateral transdiscal technique for superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis using a single needle.

STUDY DESIGN

A technical note describing interventional procedures.

SETTING

The neurosurgery department of a cancer hospital.

METHODS

The patient was placed in the prone position with a pillow beneath the iliac crest to facilitate opening of the intervertebral disc. The entry point for the needle was 7-8 cm to the left of the midline of the L45 level. The spinal needle was slightly advanced caudally toward the L5-S1 disc and at a 40° angle from the vertical plane. Using lateral fluoroscopic control, the needle was advanced beneath the inferior aspect of the facet joint. After entering the disc, the needle was then advanced until it passed the anterior annulus fibrosus of the L5S1 disc. After verifying adequate position using contrast, 3 mL of 75% ethanol was injected for neurolysis.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, the patient reported reduction of pain in the lower abdomen and quality of life was significantly improved.

LIMITATIONS

Sample size; no placebo control.

CONCLUSION

Although different approaches exist, we prefer the posterolateral transdiscal approach for superior hypogastric plexus block and neurolysis using a single needle. This technique is a valuable alternative.

KEY WORDS

Superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis, transdiscal approach, cancer pain.

Percutaneous and open anterolateral cordotomy for intractable cancer pain: a technical note

INTRODUCTION

Anterolateral cordotomy (AL-C) is a long-established treatment for alleviating intractable cancer pain. However, AL-C has progressively fallen into desuetude, leading to the risk of a definitive loss of expertise within neurosurgical teams. Our objective was therefore to provide an update on percutaneous and open AL-C, with special emphasis on contemporary operative technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patient selection, indications, outcomes and up-to-date operative technique are reviewed through illustrative cases, including intraoperative photographs and video.

RESULTS

Main indications are represented by unilateral, nociceptive pain refractory to best pharmacological treatment in patients with limited life expectancy. Percutaneous AL-C is performed under cooperative sedation at C1-C2 level. CT myelography guidance and intraoperative electrophysiology allow accurate targeting of the spinothalamic tract (STT). Thermocoagulation is performed at 80 °C for 60 s during a Mingazzini maneuver, in order to promptly detect the potential onset of a motor weakness. Open AL-C is performed under general anesthesia at T2-T3 level. The dentate ligament is suspended to gently rotate the spinal cord and expose the anterolateral column. Section of the STT is made with a micro scalpel blade at a depth of 4-5 mm, from the dentate ligament to the emergence of ventral rootlets. Success rate after AL-C is high and allows a marked reduction in antalgic drugs intake. Main limitations include failure in achieving long-standing pain relief and the new occurrence of spontaneous, mirror pain.

CONCLUSION

AL-C is a safe and effective option for the management of opioid-resistant cancer pain, which should be part of the neurosurgeon's armamentarium.

MR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy mesencephalotomy for medically intractable malignant pain

Stereotactic mesencephalotomy is a neurosurgical technique designed to sever spinothalamic pain transmission pathways for medically intractable pain. This report presents the first case of Magnetic Resonance-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) mesencephalotomy for severe malignant pain due to metastatic melanoma. The procedure significantly reduced the patient's pain, with a postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score decreasing from > 7 to < 3. No adverse effects were observed. The case underscores the potential of MRgLITT mesencephalotomy as a precise, minimally invasive option for pain management in palliative care settings.

Open thoracic cordotomy for intractable cancer pain: a how I do it

BACKGROUND

Some cancers of the lower extremity involve nerves and plexuses and can produce extreme drug-resistant noceptive pain. In these cases, open thoracic cordotomy can be proposed.

METHOD

This procedure involves disruption of the spinothalamic tract, which sustains nociceptive pathways. After placement in the prone position, selection of the side to be operated on (contralateral to the pain), and dura exposure, microsurgery is used to section the anterolateral spinal cord quadrant previously exposed by gently pulling on the dentate ligament.

CONCLUSION

Open thoracic cordotomy is a moderate invasive, safe, and effective option for the management of drug-resistant unilateral lower extremity cancer pain in well-selected patients.

Bipolar radiofrequency ablation for cancer pain in the trigeminal distribution

Tumours in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are associated with a more significant decrease in quality of life compared with the rest of patients with cancer. We present a patient with pain due to HNC successfully treated with bipolar radiofrequency ablation. A man in his 70s presented with a tumour in the left V2 and V3 region, with disabling pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 10/10, pain on swallowing, chewing and speaking, 3 months of evolution. The patient was evaluated in the pain management department, and the interventional treatment proposed consisted of bipolar pulsed radiofrequency, followed by bipolar thermal radiofrequency of the left V2 and V3 branches with fluoroscopic guidance to achieve better control and coverage of the affected trigeminal branches. Immediately after the procedure, the patient reported a significant improvement in pain with a 0-10 VAS; hypoesthesia in the affected V2 and V3 territory was identified, but no motor weakness. The improvement in pain was maintained for 6 months with a significant improvement in quality of life and pain, which allowed him to speak, chew and swallow without pain. Later, the patient died from complications associated with the disease. The treatment approach in these patients is both pain treatment and achieving independence by allowing better speech ability and improving eating, the above as a pillar of treatment focused on improving the patient's quality of life. This approach is a potential tool in the early stage of the disease in patients with pain due to HNC.

A Novel Technique of Saddle Rhizotomy Using Thermal Radiofrequency for Intractable Perineal Pain in Pelvic Malignancy: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of pain in advanced pelvic cancer may reach up to 95%. Control of such pain is often difficult owing to a variety of neuroanatomical and functional peculiarities. Different modalities have been utilized to treat this pain including saddle chemical rhizolysis with the potential for jeopardizing the neural control of the sphincters.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of using selective thermal radiofrequency as an alternative to saddle chemical rhizolysis in patients with refractory perineal pain associated with pelvic malignancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Pilot study.

SETTING

Pain Relief Department of the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.

METHODS

Forty patients, 18 years of age or older, who had pelvic malignancy and were complaining of moderate or severe perineal pain not controlled with maximum tolerable doses of morphine sulfate for at least 4 weeks were randomly allocated to receive selective saddle rhizotomy using thermal radiofrequency ablation of S3 on one side and bilateral ablation of S4 and S5 (RF group, n = 20) or conventional chemical rhizotomy using hyperbaric 6% phenol in glycerin (Phenol group, n = 20). Patients were assessed for the intensity of pain, daily consumption of analgesics, functional improvement, overall patient satisfaction, degree of disability and occurrence of procedure-related side effects at 1,4, and 12 weeks.

RESULT

The results were comparable in both groups regarding the control of pain and functional improvement. The incidence of specific procedure-related adverse outcomes was also equivalent for both interventions, although per-patient incidence of major complications was significantly higher in the phenol group.

LIMITATION

Small sample size to demonstrate statistical significance of the relatively small frequency of events, and the patients could not be blinded to the intervention they received owing to the technical uniqueness of either intervention.

CONCLUSION

Selective thermal radiofrequency ablation of the S3 root on one side, S4 root on both sides, and S5 roots could serve as a feasible alternative to conventional saddle rhizotomy using hyperbaric phenol.

KEY WORDS

Perineal cancer pain, chemical rhizotomy, thermal radiofrequency.

Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Implantation of Intrathecal Drug Delivery Pumps in Patients With Cancer With Refractory Pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pain management in patients with cancer is a critical issue in oncology palliative care as clinicians aim to enhance quality of life and mitigate suffering. Most patients with cancer experience cancer-related pain, and 30%-40% of patients experience intractable pain despite maximal medical therapy. Intrathecal pain pumps (ITPs) have emerged as an option for achieving pain control in patients with cancer. Owing to the potential benefits of ITPs, we sought to study the long-term outcomes of this form of pain management at a cancer center.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all adult patients with cancer who underwent ITP placement at a tertiary comprehensive cancer center between 2013 and 2021. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative pain control, and postoperative complication rate data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 193 patients were included. We found that the average Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score decreased significantly by 4.08 points (SD = 2.13, P < .01), from an average NRS of 7.38 (SD = 1.64) to an average NRS of 3.27 (SD = 1.66). Of 185 patients with preoperative and follow-up NRS pain scores, all but 9 experienced a decrease in NRS (95.1%). The median overall survival from time of pump placement was 3.62 months (95% CI: 2.73-4.54). A total of 42 adverse events in 33 patients were reported during the study period. The 1-year cumulative incidence of any complication was 15.6% (95% CI: 10.9%-21.1%) and for severe complication was 5.7% (95% CI: 3.0%-9.7%). Eleven patients required reoperation during the study period, with a 1-year cumulative incidence of 4.2% (95% CI: 2.0%-7.7%).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that ITP implantation for the treatment of cancer-related pain is a safe and effective method of pain palliation with a low complication rate. Future prospective studies are required to determine the optimal timing of ITP implantation.

[Modified Harrington Procedure in the Treatment of Extensive Tumor Defects of the Acetabulum]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The increasing prevalance of patients with metastatic bone cancer and their improved survival puts more emphasis on the quality of treatment of bone metastases. Although most pelvic lesions are treated non-operatively, extensive destruction of the acetabular segment poses a therapeutic challenge. A potential treatment option may be the modified Harrington procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS At our department, this surgical procedure has been opted for in 14 patients (5 men and 9 women) since 2018. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59 years (range 42 to 73). Twelve patients suffered from metastatic cancer, one patient had a fibrosarcoma metastasis and one female patient presented with aggressive pseudotumor. Radiological and clinical followup of the patients was performed. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Harris Hip Score and the MSTS score were used to evaluate the functional outcome. The paired samples Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the statistical significance of the difference. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 25 months. At the time of assessment, ten patients were alive with the mean follow-up of 29 months (range 2 to 54 months) and four patients had died of cancer progression, with the mean follow-up being 16 months. No perioperative death or mechanical failure were reported. One female patient developed a hematogenous infection during febrile neutropenia, which was successfully managed with early revision and implant preservation. Statistically, a significant improvement in the MSTS (median 23) and HHS (median 86) functional scores compared to the preoperative values (MSTS median 2, p<0.01, r-effect size = 0.6; HHS preop median 0, p<0.005, r-effect size = -0.7) was observed. There was also a statistically significant reduction in pain (VAS postoperative median 1, VAS preoperative median 8, p<0.01, r-effect size = -0.6). All patients were capable of independent ambulation after the surgery, nine patients walked without support. DISCUSSION There are not many alternatives to this surgical procedure. Apart from non-operative palliative treatment, the options include ice cream cone prostheses or customized 3D implants which are, impractical in terms of time and cost. Our results are comparable to other studies, confirming the reproducibility and reliability of the method. CONCLUSIONS The Harrington procedure is an efective method for management of large acetabular tumor defects with good functional outcomes, an acceptable perioperative risk and a low risk of failure in the medium term, thus suitable also for patients with good cancer prognosis. Key words: umor, metastasis, acetabulum, pelvis, Harrington, reconstruction.

Functional Radiosurgery in the Management of Cancer Pain: A Comprehensive Review

Functional radiosurgery is a minimally invasive and highly precise approach to managing refractory cancer pain, offering targeted interventions for both nociceptive and neuropathic pain mechanisms. By focusing on key neuroanatomical targets, such as the thalamus, cingulate cortex, pituitary gland, celiac plexus, and dorsal root ganglia, functional radiosurgery provides effective relief for complex pain syndromes that are often unresponsive to conventional therapies. Advances in imaging and treatment delivery have enhanced the safety and efficacy of these techniques, allowing clinicians to tailor interventions to individual patients.

Percutaneous Cementoplasty For Acetabulum In Patients With Bone Metastasis

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the surgical technique and to show the results of percutaneous cementoplasty (PC) for acetabular metastases using lateral approach under regional anesthesia. Forty-two cases underwent PC for acetabular metastases. The PC was performed using spinal anesthesia, lateral approach and fluoroscopic guidance. We assessed visual analogue scale (VAS) and revised musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) rating system and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the acetabular lesion using F-18-FDG PET/CT before and after the PC. The mean injected volume of polymethylmethacrylamide to the pelvis was 21±11.8 ml. The mean of regional VAS (6.2±1.1 vs. 3.1±2.7, p<0.001), MSTS (10.3±3.9 vs. 18.3±3.2, p<0.001) and local SUVmax (8.6±5.2 vs. 5.7±3.6 , p = 0.012) on PET/CT showed significant reductions after surgery. Twenty-three patients (55%) died of disease at mean 11.8±4.8 months after surgery. PC using lateral approach and regional anesthesia could be a simple and safe surgical method for relieving pain and maintaining skeletal stability against acetabular metastasis.

Bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy for cancer pain: A case report

Cancer is a systemic and progressive disease, and pain is a serious problem for patients. Cordotomy is one of the most effective treatments for refractory cancer pain. Bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy can be performed in patients with bilateral extremity pain. Accordingly, this case report discusses the use of bilateral cervical percutaneous cordotomy in the treatment of refractory cancer pain based on a 69-year-old woman with soft tissue sarcoma.

Extent and pattern of symptom relief following surgical castration in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Advanced prostate cancer leads to many symptoms, notably bone pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs); however, the degree and duration of pain relief, changes in LUTs severity and underlying factors associated with the extent of symptom relief remain inadequately understood. Surgical castration has proven effective in relieving both bone pain and urinary symptoms for metastatic prostate cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent and pattern of symptom relief in advanced prostate cancer patients following surgical castration at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study for a period of 6 months involving men with advanced Prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing surgical castration at MNH and followed them for 30 days. The international prostate symptoms score tool was used to assess changes in LUTs, and the pain rating scale was used for assessing changes in bone pain symptoms before and after surgery. Logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with complete bone pain relief.

RESULTS

A total of 210 participants with a mean age of 72.3 years were recruited. The LUTS score showed a decrease of 7.1 points after surgical castration (95% CI: 6.4 to 7.7, p < 0.001). The bone pain score showed an absolute decrease of 39.8% (95% CI: 34.7 to 44.9, p < 0.001) after surgical castration, with more than half of the patients (111, 52.9%) reporting bone pain relief within the first two weeks. Among the factors associated with greater pain relief were being in a marital union (aOR 2.73, 95% CI: 1.26 to 5.89, p < 0.011). Normal BMI was also linked to pain relief in bivariate analysis (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.61, p < 0.035). Additionally, patients with severe bone pain before surgical castration were more likely to achieve complete pain relief compared to those with mild or moderate pain (odds ratio 8.32, 95% CI: 3.63 to 19.1, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Surgical castration improves both bone pain and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Notably, patients experiencing severe bone pain reported resolution of bone pain symptoms within the first and second weeks, respectively, indicating the prompt effectiveness of the surgery on these symptoms.

Minimally Invasive Anterolateral Cervical Cordotomy for Intractable Cancer Pain Using Microtubular Retractors: A Single Institution Case Series

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

As advancements in cancer treatments have allowed patients with a high burden of disease to live longer, the number of patients who present with debilitating refractory pain has increased. Anterolateral cordotomy has long been used for the treatment of intractable unilateral cancer pain using either an imaging-guided percutaneous approach or an open surgical approach. In this report, we describe a novel minimally invasive modification to the open surgical approach. It combines the benefits of both approaches by providing direct visualization for lesioning without the collateral tissue damage of an open approach.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated medical records, operative reports, and imaging studies of patients who underwent a minimally invasive cordotomy at a single institute between 2018 and 2022. The surgical technique involved a microscope-assisted C2 hemilaminectomy using microtubular retractors followed by dural opening and anterolateral cordotomy under direct visualization and with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were included in the study. None were converted to an open approach, and no wound-related postoperative complications were observed. A clinically significant decrease in pain was observed after the procedure, and 10 of the 11 patients (91%) were ambulatory by the time of analysis.

CONCLUSION

Compared with image-guided percutaneous cordotomy, anterolateral cervical cordotomy with microtubular retractors potentially improves the safety of the procedure through direct visualization while being less invasive than a conventional open approach. Our preliminary experience with this technique demonstrates the feasibility of the approach, as it was both safe and effective.