Minimally Invasive Treatments for Spinal Metastases: Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, and Radiofrequency Ablation

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Spinal Metastases:Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, and Radiofrequency Ablation

Ryan J. Halpin, BS, Bernard R. Bendok, MD, and John C. Liu, MD

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois

Bony metastases are the most common tumors affecting the musculoskeletal system. The most common site of such metastases is the spinal column. Many patients with these tumors present with pain and pathologic fractures. Three relatively new, minimally invasive treatments may be used to provide supportive care in this patient population: vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and radiofrequency ablation. In this report, we review the literature for each of these procedures and discuss their indications, results, and complications.

J Support Oncol 2004;2:339–355 print e-mail full text 339 kb