Transoral approach for percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteolytic tumor lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas: feasibility and initial experience in 2 patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

OBJECTIVE

To report our early experience of percutaneous vertebro-plasty via a transoral approach of the lesions of the lateral mass of C1.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Percutaneous vertebroplasty has gained acceptance for the treatment of osteolytic lesions of the spine. However, scant data are available on the percutaneous vertebroplasty of the C1 lesions.

METHODS

Two patients (a 74-yr-old female and a 53-yr-old male) presenting respectively a metastasis of the left lateral mass of C1 from a pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a hemangioma of the left lateral mass of C1 underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty via a transoral approach in a hybrid angio suite associating a monoplane flat panel and a computed tomography scan, using polymethylmetacrilate bone cement.For the second patient, a nondetachable balloon was used to protect the vertebral artery from cement leakage.

RESULTS

Satisfactory filing of the lesions was obtained in both patients. No complication was recorded. Both patients experienced pain improvement.

CONCLUSION

Transoral approach for the treatment of osteolytic tumor lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas is feasible and seems to be a safe and effective technique.