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Take Home message High viscosity resin can reduce the risk of leakage in cervical fracturesVertebroplasty can reduce pain and restore stability in patients with osteolytic spinal metastases |

Summary |
14 patients with osteolytic metastases of cervical spine underwent vertebroplasty alone or combined with another surgery in a palliative setting to reduce pain and restore stability |
Sample characteristics |
14 patients (8M, 6F); mean age of 65 years (44 – 85); 25 vertebrae Aetiology: metastatic disease of the cervical spine due to myeloma (10), breast carcinoma (2), pulmonary cancer (1), unknown origin (1) |
Mean FU (range) |
9M (2 – 20) for 12 pts |

Vertebral filling |
Radiologically, good cement distribution and filling of the resection cavity was demonstrated in all cases |
Complications |
Leakage: 14% (2/14) – asymptomaticNeurological examination unchangedNo surgery-related complications |
Key points |
– anterior vertebroplasty of cervical spine is a secure, minimally invasive procedure with a low complication rate for osteolytic metastases – effective for reducing pain and restoring stability, can be combined with other ventral or dorsal procedures of cervical spine, and, in the axis vertebra, can be performed from posteriorly. – the posterior wall of the vertebral body should be intact to avoid potentially dangerous complications such as intraspinal leakage with a risk of high para- or tetraparesis – to prevent cement leakage and embolization, cement should have an adequate consistency, a high-resolution fluoroscopic device should be used, the injection should be stopped immediately if leakage is recognized |