Spinal metastases: indications for and results of percutaneous injection of acrylic surgical cement.

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating spinal metastases that result in pain or instability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven patients (20 men, 17 women; aged 33-86 years) underwent 52 percutaneous injections of surgical cement into a vertebra (vertebroplasty) with fluoroscopic guidance in 40 procedures. Vertebroplasty was performed for analgesia in 29 procedures, stabilization of the vertebral column in five procedures, and both in six procedures.

RESULTS

Twenty-four of the 33 procedures performed for analgesia that were evaluated resulted in clear improvement; seven, moderate improvement; and two, no improvement. Improvement was stable in 73% of patients at 6 months. In the procedure performed for stabilization, no displacement of treated vertebrae was observed (mean follow-up, 13 months). Three patients had transient radiculopathy due to cement extrusion, and two patients had transient difficulty in swallowing.

CONCLUSION

Vertebroplasty of metastases is a minimally invasive procedure that provides immediate and long-term pain relief and contributes to spinal stabilization.