Percutaneous CT-Guided Microwave Ablation Combined with Pedicle Screw Fixation Followed by Vertebroplasty (MASFVA): Initial Experience of a Minimally Invasive Treatment of Vertebral Metastases with Extension to the Vertebral Pedicle

Curr Oncol. 2023 Jan 30;30(2):1663-1672. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30020127.

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) and pedicle screw fixation followed by vertebroplasty (MASFVA) for the treatment and stabilization of painful vertebral metastases with vertebral pedicle involvement. (2) Methods: from January 2013 to January 2017 11 patients with 16 vertebral metastatic lesions (7 men and 5 women; mean age, 65 ± 11 years) with vertebral metastases underwent CT-guided microwave ablation and screw fixation followed by vertebroplasty (MASFVA). Technical success, complication rate, pain evaluation using a visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and local tumor control were examined. (3) Results: Technical success rate was 100%. No procedure-related major complications occurred. VAS score decreased from 6.8 ± 0.7 to 0.6 ± 0.6. ODI score decreased from 3.1 ± 0.7 to 1.2 ± 0.4. All patients could walk independently without neurological complication after one week from the procedure. No new bone fractures or local disease recurrence occurred during a median follow-up of 12 months. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that MWA and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation followed by vertebroplasty for the treatment of painful vertebral metastases is a safe and effective procedure for painful vertebral metastases with vertebral pedicle involvement, allowing pain relief and local tumor control.

Keywords: interventional radiology; microwave ablation; percutaneous therapies; screw fixation; spine metastases; vertebroplasty.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / injuries
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Male
  • Microwaves
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain
  • Pedicle Screws*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fractures* / surgery
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / injuries
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vertebral Body
  • Vertebroplasty* / methods

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.