Percutaneous vertebroplasty for metastatic lesions of the cervical spine

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) performed via three different routes for the treatment of osteolytic metastatic lesions of the cervical spine. Methods: A total of 36 patients with osteolytic cervical metastases (57 cervical vertebrae involved) received the treatment of the PVP. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The WHO standards and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed before and after the operation, and the application of three operative accesses (anterolateral approach, lateral approach and anterolateral approach through disc space) was discussed. Results: The puncturing accesses used in three groups were anterolateral approach, lateral approach and anterolateral approach through disc space. The whole procedure, including puncturing and injection of bone cement, was successfully accomplished for all diseased cervical vertebral bodies. All patients were followed up for three months. Of 32 patients who had complete clinical data, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 11, partial remission (PR) in 20, mild remission (MR) in one and no remission (NR) in zero. The clinical effectiveness (CR + PR) was 97%. The VAS scores before operation as well as 24 hours, one week and 3 months after the operation were separately determined, and four groups of data were obtained. Statistically significant difference in VAS scores existed between each other of the above four data groups (P<0.05). A little bone cement leakage was observed in 17 vertebral bodies (29.82%), however, no serious clinical complications occurred. Conclusion: Percutaneous vertebroplasty via anterolateral approach is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of osteolytic metastases located at lower cervical vertebrae (C4-C7). While in treating metastatic lesions invaded the vertebra of C1, PVP via lateral approach should be employed. For C2 and C3 vertebral involvement, PVP via anterolateral approach through disc space should be adopted. In clinical practice, the operative approach should be reasonably selected according to the specific circumstances. (authors)