Clinical efficacy of computed tomography-guided iodine-125 seed implantation therapy for patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression: A retrospective study.

Background: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive iodine-125 ( I) seed implantation in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC).

Materials And Methods: A cohort of 22 patients with MESCC were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent CT-guided I seed implantation therapy via standard procedures. Clinical indexes, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDA) criteria for tumor responses, numerical rating scale (NRS) for the degree of pain, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) for quality of life, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, grade of ESCC, and radiation dose, were evaluated and recorded pre- and post-operation. A follow-up evaluation was performed at least 3 months after the operation. Finally, pre- and post-operative differences in these clinical indexes were compared. Overall survival was recorded.

Results: Operations were successfully performed on all patients. A median of 48 (range, 7-103) seeds were implanted in lesions, and the postoperative target verified dose D was 11,072.4 ± 1773.5 cGy. Patients were followed for a median of 6 months (range, 3-38 months). The median survival time was 10 months; the response rate was 18/22 (82%); the local control rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 91.3%, 81.9%, and 81.9%, respectively; and the survival rates were 80%, 50.0%, and 21.9% at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The ESCC grade was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Based on the ASIA impairment scale, the nerve functional reservation, recovery, and decline rates were 63.7% (14/22), 27.3% (6/22), and 9% (2/22), respectively. The NRS and KPS were both significantly improved in the 3 month of follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: CT-guided I seed implantation represents an effective and safe palliative care for patients with MESCC, which can effectively relieve pain and spinal cord compression and improve nerve function and quality of life.