The efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral metastases associated with solid malignancies.

Abstract Background Percutaneous vertebroplasty appears beneficial for patients with acute compression fractures of multiple aetiologies including myeloma, osteoporosis and trauma. There are few reports on its use in the setting of metastatic solid malignancy. Methods We identified all individuals who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty at our institution since 2004 and focused on those with metastatic solid malignancies. Their clinical characteristics and outcomes were investigated. Results From 136 cases that underwent percutaneous vertebroplasties, 19 were performed mainly in breast, prostate, lung and renal cancers. Of these 19 cases, 10 patients (53%) were treated for solitary lesions, 3 (16%) were injected at two levels and the remaining 6 cases (31%) underwent cement injection at three levels. The majority of individuals (84%) reported short- and long-term symptomatic improvements. At a median follow-up of one year, six patients have died. Conclusions Percutaneous vertebroplasty appears as an effective palliative procedure in patients with compression fractures secondary to metastatic solid malignancy. Its use can be successfully combined with other treatment modalities (radiotherapy and chemotherapy).