Percutaneous cementoplasty for pelvic bone metastasis

The aim of this retrospective study was to prove the effectiveness of percutaneous cementoplasty in pelvic bone metastases. We studied the data entered in a multicenter prospective database on 18 cancer patients (average age 58 years) who underwent percutaneous computed tomography (CT) or fluoroscopy-guided cementoplasty from September 1996 to September 1998. The metastatic sites were: acetabulum (n = 12), iliac bone (n = 2), and sacrum (n = 4). Indications were pain recurrence (n = 9) or no relief (n = 3) after radiotherapy, and 6 procedures were performed before radiation. Mean follow-up was 4.6 months, ranging from 11 days up to 24 months. Improvement in pain and walking was obtained in 81.8% cases, and it was generally maintained, except in 1 patient who experienced pain again at day 15 because of an acetabular fracture. Percutaneous cementoplasty is a safe and efficient technique, and is mandatory when radiotherapy fails or when rapid resolution of pain is requested.