Initial experience, feasibility, and technical development with an electromagnetic navigation assistance in percutaneous pelvic bone cementoplasty: retrospective analysis

Objectives To assess the feasibility and technical outcomes of pelvic bone cementoplasty using an electromagnetic navigation system (EMNS) in standard practice. Materials and methods Monocentric retrospective study of all consecutive patients treated with cementoplasty or reinforced cementoplasty of the pelvic bone with EMNS-assisted procedures. The endpoints were periprocedural adverse events, needle repositioning rates, procedure duration, and radiation exposure. Results A detailed description of the technical steps is provided. Thirty-three patients (68 years ± 10) were treated between February 2016 and February 2020. Needle repositioning was required for 1/33 patients (3%). The main minor technical adverse event was soft tissue PMMA cement leaks. No major adverse event was noted. The median number of CT acquisitions throughout the procedures was 4 (range: 2 to 8). Radiation exposure and mean procedure duration are provided. Conclusion Electromagnetic navigation system–assisted percutaneous interventions for the pelvic bone are feasible and lead to low rates of minor technical adverse events and needle repositioning. Procedure duration and radiation exposure were low. Key Points • Initial experience for 33 patients treated with an electromagnetic navigation assistance for pelvic cementoplasty shows feasibility and safety. • The use of an electromagnetic navigation system does not expose to high procedure duration or radiation exposure. • The system is efficient in assisting the radiologist for extra-axial planes in challenging approaches.