Radiofrequency Ablation and Augmentation in the Management of Spinal Metastases: Clinical Experience in 41 Patients.

Objective: To evaluate functional outcome after combined radiofrequency ablation and vertebral augmentation in patients with metastatic spinal tumors using visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores.

Methods: This retrospective study included 41 patients with metastatic spinal tumors. There were 19 women and 22 men with a mean age of 67 years (range, 45-87 years). Visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index were used to assess the intensity of pain and quality of life. The assessments were performed before the procedure and at 1 week and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the procedure.

Results: No serious complications were seen in the periprocedural period. Two patients (4.8%) had transient neurological motor deficits without cement leakage, and 1 patient had a pulmonary embolism with transient mild symptoms. The comparison of preprocedural visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores with postprocedural scores up to 6 months after treatment revealed significant pain control and good functional state.

Conclusions: Spinal metastasis is a frequent entity in the growing population of patients with cancer. A multidisciplinary approach using several nonsurgical and minimally invasive methods (e.g., radiofrequency ablation, vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty) is key to successful management, and combining these procedures is effective against spinal metastatic pain.