Anterolateral Cervical Kyphoplasty for Metastatic Cervical Spine Lesions

Retrospective case series.

To evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of anterolateral kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis.

Although the spine is the third most common site of tumor metastasis, the cervical spine is the least commonly affected (incidence, 10%-15%). Surgical decompression is highly challenging because of the proximity of neural and vascular elements. Kyphoplasty for cervical spine metastasis has been described in small case reports with promising results.

Retrospective analysis of a prospective collected single-center spine metastasis database was done for cervical kyphoplasty cases. Data pertaining to age, sex, primary tumor diagnosis, modified Tokuhashi score, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and analgesic medication were extracted. Postoperative data included VAS score at postoperative day 1, duration of hospitalization, self-reported functional outcome, and VAS score at the last follow-up.

Eleven patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with cervical spine metastases were treated with 15-level kyphoplasty. Mean Tokuhashi score was 8.1, and mean SINS was 7.85. Mean preoperative pain score was 7.1, and 82% of patients used opioid analgesics. Mean total bleeding volume was 100 mL. Mean complication-free length of stay was 2.6 days with a decrease in postoperative pain (VAS score=2.8, p <0.05). There was a 56% decrease in opioid dosage and the number of consumed analgesics (1.09, p =0.004). Eightytwo percent of the patients reported excellent improvement at the last follow-up self-assessment.

To our knowledge, this case series represents the largest series of vertebral augmentation using balloon kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis. This technique is associated with low postoperative complications as well as significant decrease in pain, use of opioids, and length of hospital stay. The main indications for vertebral kyphoplasty are lytic lesions of the cervical spine, painful lesions refractory to medical treatment, SINS score of 6-10, and absence of posterior wall defect.