Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty on Spinal Metastases with Incomplete Posterior Wall

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) in the treatment of spinal metastases with incomplete posterior wall.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed 106 spinal metastases patients with incomplete posterior wall treated with PVP. Demographic and pre- and post-operative clinical characteristics were reviewed. Pain relief and functional activities recovery, systemic complications and the local leakage of the bone cement were evaluated before and after operation.

Results All patients successfully underwent surgery, VAS score was 3.0(2.0-5.0) after operation and decreased for 5.0(3.0-7.0). Among 70 patients who received the assessment, 10 patients had a better Barthel Index(BI) and 46 patients were with the same activity of daily living. None had systemic complications during the injection of bone cement. Among the 160 vertebrae with incomplete vertebral posterior wall, 39(24.4%) vertebrae showed bone cement leakage and 7(4.4%) vertebrae were intraspinal leakage. None had bone cement leakage-related neurological symptoms after operation.

Conclusion Percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective and safe in the treatment of spinal metastases with incomplete posterior wall.