Comparison of the postoperative pain change and spinal stenosis rate between percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation and with ^(125)I particle implantation in the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression:A retrospective st

Background context:Metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC)seriously affects the survival rate.Objective:The therapeutic effects of two treatment strategies for MSCC:percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)combined with radiofrequency ablation(RFA)and PVP combined with^(125)I particle implantation,were compared.Study design:Retrospective study.Patient sample:40 patients with MSCC were divided into two groups:19 cases in the RFA group and 21 cases in the^(125)I group.Method:All patients were accessed to determine the differences in pain,which was evaluated using the visual analog scale(VAS)at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months after the operation,and spinal stenosis rates(SSRs),which were measured at 1 and 3 months after the operation,between the two groups.Results:The VAS scores and SSRs at baseline were comparable between the RFA group and the^(125)I group(7.19±2.07 vs 7.42±1.95,37.7%±11.2%vs 41.1%±11.4%).The VAS scores and SSRs at 1 month and 3 months after the operation were significantly reduced in both groups,compared with those at baseline.The VAS scores and SSRs in the^(125)I group were lower than those in the RFA group at 3 months after the operation(1.09±0.97 vs 1.75±1.06 p=0.048 and 12.3%±6.4%vs 18.1%±10.1%p=0.034),while the VAS scores at1 week after the operation in the RFA group were lower than those in the^(125)I group(4.39±1.34 vs 5.05±1.82 p=0.049).Conclusion:PVP combined with RFA has a slight advantage in relieving pain in the short term,while PVP combined with^(125)I particle implantation may have a better effect in the relieving pain and decreasing the SSRs at 3 months after the operation.

Single-versus multi-fraction radiation treatment for metastatic spinal cord compression:functional outcome study

Objective:The optimal treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC) is still being debated.This randomized trial was planned to compare the functional outcome and its related prognostic factors,toxicity and in-field recurrence of the three schedules of radiotherapy.Methods:Two hundred and eighty five patients enrolled in the study of which 95 received 1 × 8 Gy,100 received 10 x 3 Gy and 90 received the radiation treatment of 20 × 2 Gy.Irradiation was performed with 6-10 Mv linear accelerators or cobalt-60 units by single posterior field or parallel opposed fields according to depth of irradiation spines.Premedication with dexamethasone was started from the first day of clinico-radiologic diagnosis till 4-5 days after the end of radiotherapy(RT) then tapered off during 10 days.Potential prognostic factors were evaluated with respect to functional outcome.Results:All groups were balanced for patient's characteristics and potential prognostic factors.No statistically significant difference was observed between the 3 groups as regard functional outcome and toxicity while single fraction was associated with higher in-field recurrences(22.8%) with statistically significant difference between the 3 groups(P = 0.01).Functional outcome was significantly better with younger age(≤ 60 y),Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status(ECOG-PS) of 1-2,involved vertebra of 1-2,favorable tumor type,absence of visceral or other bone metastasis,decreased time of developing motor deficit before radiotherapy,long interval between cancer diagnosis to metastatic spinal cord compression,and normal ambulatory status.Conclusion:The three schedules provided similar functional outcome.Single-radiation dose was associated with higher in-field recurrence.To minimize treatment time and costs,the dose of 1 × 8 Gy is recommended for patients with poor predicated survival and 10 × 3 Gy for other patients.

Prognostic factors and its predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer

BACKGROUND The spine is the most common location of metastatic diseases.Treating a metastatic spinal tumor depends on many factors,including patients’overall health and life expectancy.The present study was conducted to investigate prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in patients with vertebral metastases.AIM To investigate prognostic factors and their predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with metastatic spinal cancer was conducted between January 2015 and September 2017.The prognoses and survival were analyzed,and the effects of factors such as clinical features,treatment methods,primary lesions and affected spinal segments on the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer were discussed.The prognostic value of Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC),spinal instability neoplastic score(SINS)and the revised Tokuhashi score for prediction of prognosis was explored in patients with metastatic spinal tumors.RESULTS Age,comorbidity of metastasis from elsewhere,treatment methods,the number of spinal tumors,patient’s attitude toward tumors and Karnofsky performance scale score have an effect on the prognosis of patients(all P<0.05).With respect to classification of spinal cord injury,before operation,the proportion of grade B and grade C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived,and that of grade D and grade E was lower in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived(all P<0.05).At 1 mo after operation,the proportion of grade A,B and C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived,and that of grade E was lower in patients in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived(all P<0.05).MSCC occurred in four(14.3%)patients in the survival group and 17(21.0%)patients in the death group(P<0.05).All patients suffered from intractable pain,dysfunction in spinal cord and even paralysis.The proportion of SINS score of 1 to 6 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group,and the proportion of SINS score of 7 to 12 points was higher in the death group than in the survival group(all P<0.05).The proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 0 to 8 points and 9 to 11 points were higher in the death group than in the survival group,and the proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 12 to 15 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group(all P<0.05).Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,MSCC,SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were important factors influencing the surgical treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cancer(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,MSCC,SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were helpful in predicting the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer.