title: Treatment of pathologic spinal fractures with combined radiofrequency ablation and balloon kyphoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In oncologic patients with metastatic spinal disease, the ideal treatment should be well tolerated, relieve the pain, and preserve or restore the neurological function.The combination of fluoroscopic guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and kyphoplasty may fulfill these criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe three pathological vertebral fractures treated with a combination of fluoroscopic guided RFA and kyphoplasty in one session: a 62-year-old man suffering from a painful L4 pathological fracture due to a plasmocytoma, a 68-year-old man with a T12 pathological fracture from metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, and a 71-year-old man with a Th12 and L1 pathological fracture from multiple myeloma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The choice of patients was carried out according to the classification of Tomita. Visual analog score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used for the evaluation of the functional outcomes. The treatment was successful in all patients and no complications were reported. The mean follow-up was 6 months. Marked pain relief and functional restoration was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience the treatment of pathologic spinal fractures with combined radiofrequency ablation and balloon kyphoplasty is safe and effective for immediate pain relief in painful spinal lesions in neurologically intact patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. katonis@hol.gr
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katonis
authors.forename: Dritan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pasku
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alpantaki
authors.forename: Artan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bano
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzanakakis
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karantanas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002404:Catheterization; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054854:Vertebroplasty