Combined radiofrequency and kyphoplasty in painful osteolytic metastases to vertebral bodies

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the safety and efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) and kyphoplasty (KP) in managing painful osteolytic metastases to vertebral bodies resistant to conservative treatments. Materials and methods Eleven patients (9 women and 2 men; mean age 68 years; age range 58–82) with painful osteolytic vertebral body metastases unresponsive to conservative treatments underwent RF combined with KP under general anaesthesia. Primary neoplasms were kidney carcinoma (n=1), breast carcinoma (n=1), thyroid carcinoma (n=2) and multiple myeloma (n=7). Lesion levels were cervical (n=1), thoracic (n=9) and lumbar (n=1). Combined RF and KP was well-tolerated by all patients. The procedures were performed using fluoroscopic guidance and intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring. Pain relief with the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and analgaesic consumption were evaluated before and after treatment. Results No complication occurred. In one case, we observed an asymptomatic cement leakage. Pain significantly decreased after treatment: the mean VAS pain score before treatment was 8 (range 7–10) vs. 1.8 (range 0–3) and 1.9 (range 1–3), respectively, 72 h and 6 weeks after the treatment. Analgaesic reduction was achieved in all patients. Conclusions RF combined with KP represents a potential alternative method for palliation of painful spinal osteolytic metastases in selected patients. The procedures are safe and provide pain relief with bone augmentation and improvement in quality of life.