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Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Potential of TUBE Technique in Spinal Surgery
Published on: November 17, 2023
Cone-beam computed tomography guided unipedicular central stentoplasty of the thoracolumbar spine: Early technical
Ivan Kuang Hsin Huang1, Uei Pua1, Lawrence Han Hwee Quek1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.
Introduction:
An unipedicular vertebral body stenting technique, termed 'central stentoplasty', was developed at our institution. With this technique, a single vertebral body stent was deployed percutaneously in the midline of the vertebral body using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance.
Methods:
From September 2013 to July 2015, forty-four patients with fifty-six vertebral bodies underwent central stentoplasty. All fractures were of osteoporotic, traumatic or malignant aetiology. Information on vertebral body deformity, pre- and post-procedure sagittal index (SI), wedge angle (WA) and anterior vertebral height ratio was analysed. Two patients had combined ablation and stentoplasty for painful spinal metastases.
Results:
There were 11 male and 33 female patients with mean age of 71.5 years (51-90 years). 19 fractured vertebral bodies had more than 30% loss of height. The mean pre-procedure SI was 0.82, and the mean post-procedure SI was 0.90. The pre-procedure WA was -5.56° compared with post-procedure mean WA of -3.47°. The mean pre-procedure segmental kyphosis was -4.58°, and the mean post-procedure segmental kyphosis was -1.46°. Six cases had minimal cement leak, and two cases had a haematoma at the puncture site. None of the patients underwent revision surgery, and postoperative neurological sequelae were not observed.
Conclusion:
'Central stentoplasty' is a promising percutaneous vertebral fracture augmentation technique, which is shown to have low complication rates in the treatment of spinal compression fractures or metastases. However, long-term results need to be further evaluated.
