Anterior expandable cylindrical cage reconstruction after cervical spinal metastasis resection

Surgical therapy of cervical spine metastases had evolved a in the last years from posterior decompressive approaches to a direct anterior reconstructive approaches. Indication for surgery included intractable neck pain, spinal cord compression and stabilization of impending pathological fractures. We report our experience with expandable cylindrical cages in order to reconstruct and to stabilize cervical spine with metastasis. Between June 2004 and January 2006, a consecutive series of six patients underwent to resection of metastatic tumor in the cervical spine followed by expandable cylindrical cage reconstruction of the anterior vertebral column. All patients achieved immediate stability with neurological preservation. There were no significant complications related to the expandable cages in a mean follow up period of 10.5 months. Expandable cylindrical cages are effective resources for functional reconstruction after tumor resection in patients with cervical metastasis with advantages in the quality of life.