Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to investigate the effects and reliability in the prevention of tumour spread of radiofrequency ablation or ablation with vertebroplasty simultaneously applied for pain in patients with painful spinal vertebra metastasis and the effect of preventing tumor spread in long-term follow-up.
Methods
Patients with painful vertebrae metastasis in the XXX Health Sciences University, Medical Faculty, Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic between 01.01.2015 and 01.02.2019 were recruited.
They were divided into groups according
to the surgical procedures applied.
Group 1 included 12 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation only, and group 2 included 16 patients who underwent vertebroplasty with radiofrequency ablation. The metastatic lesion, pain, and quality of life were evaluated with imaging, Visual Analog Scale, and Oswestry Disability Survey before and after the procedure.
Results
A total of 28 patients diagnosed with painful spinal metastasis were included in our study. The degree of collapse increased in five patients in group 1, leading to vertebroplasty. Simple polymethyl methacrylate leakage was observed in four patients in group 2 without spinal cord compression. Pain and quality of life improved significantly in both groups, with more being in Group 2, and analgesic use was significantly reduced. No tumor spread in the vertebrae was observed in any patient during follow-up.
Conclusion
According to our results, patients with painful vertebral metastases should receive vertebroplasty simultaneously with radiofrequency ablation for palliative pain control and prevention of tumour spread.
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