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Published on: September 16, 2022
Transoral kyphoplasty for tumors in C2
Daniele A Fabris Monterumici1, Surendra Narne, Ugo Nena
1Sandro Agostini Spine Surgery Unit, Padua University Hospital, via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padua, Italy.
Background Context:
The management of tumors of the C2 body remains controversial. In cancer patients, major procedures may be contraindicated, and nonoperative treatment could fail.
Purpose:
To describe a new surgical technique, the transoral kyphoplasty, that we performed in 3 cases of tumors in C2 after nonoperative treatment failure.
Study Design:
Case series of three patients.
Patient Sample:
Three patients from the senior author's practice.
Outcome Measures:
To reduce pain and avoid both C2 collapse and prolonged immobilization, transoral kyphoplasties were performed.
Methods:
From February 2004 to January 2006, three cases of tumors in C2 did not show healing after nonoperative treatments.
Results:
No complications and/or complaints were related to the procedure. There were no C2-related symptoms or neurological problems. The first patient died 8 months after surgery. The second and the third are alive with follow-ups of 2 years and 6 months, respectively. In all cases, cervical motion was restored, and patients are pain free, with no findings regarding pathologic mobility/instability on X-ray and computed tomography scan.
Conclusions:
Transoral kyphoplasty proved to be safe, quick, and effective in reducing pain and avoiding vertebral collapse in patients with tumors in C2 not responding to nonoperative treatment.