Transoral approach for percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteolytic tumor lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas: feasibility and initial experience in 2 patients.

Study Design: Case series.

Objective: To report our early experience of percutaneous vertebro-plasty via a transoral approach of the lesions of the lateral mass of C1.

Summary Of Background Data: Percutaneous vertebroplasty has gained acceptance for the treatment of osteolytic lesions of the spine. However, scant data are available on the percutaneous vertebroplasty of the C1 lesions.

Methods: Two patients (a 74-yr-old female and a 53-yr-old male) presenting respectively a metastasis of the left lateral mass of C1 from a pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a hemangioma of the left lateral mass of C1 underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty via a transoral approach in a hybrid angio suite associating a monoplane flat panel and a computed tomography scan, using polymethylmetacrilate bone cement.For the second patient, a nondetachable balloon was used to protect the vertebral artery from cement leakage.

Results: Satisfactory filing of the lesions was obtained in both patients. No complication was recorded. Both patients experienced pain improvement.

Conclusion: Transoral approach for the treatment of osteolytic tumor lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas is feasible and seems to be a safe and effective technique.