Preliminary report of transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty in painful vertebral tumors.

STUDY DESIGN: Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty of painful vertebral tumor was retrospectively evaluated. OBJECTIVE: Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty was designed to treat spinal tumor with intractable pain refractory to conservative management, deformity, biomechanical impairment, and neural deficits. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy cannot restore spinal stability. Complication rates of major surgery are high. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has a high leakage rate, and tumor tissue may be displaced into the canal. Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty was designed to treat spinal tumor for pain control and stability. METHODS: There were 9 women and 9 men with a mean age of 62.7 +/- 12.6 years included. All patients had vertebral pain. Walking was impossible for 12 patients, and 15 had neurologic deficits. Treatments included manual reduction and transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 18 months. Mean hospitalization was 7.1 +/- 4.2 days, operating time was 46 +/- 25 minutes, and blood loss was 263 +/- 157 cc. Neither neurologic deterioration nor root irritation was found after transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty. No dislodgement of the transpedicle body augmenter was found at the final visit. According to the visual analog scale, pain was 9.3 before surgery, 3.2 at 2-week follow-up, and 2.2 at 3-month follow-up. There were 11 patients (92%) who recovered walking ability. Neurologic status improved in 14 patients (93%). The satisfaction rate was 89%. CONCLUSION: Transpedicle body augmenter vertebroplasty proved to be safe and effective in reducing pain and improving functional status of patients with spinal tumor.