title: Defining the indications, types and biomaterials of corpectomy cages in the thoracolumbar spine.
abstract: Osteomyelitis, tumors and fractures of the thoracolumbar spine comprise a wide spectrum of pathology of the anterior column that can be safely addressed with cages. Mesh cages have been traditionally used; however, expandable devices are gaining popularity due to better correction of sagittal deformity, less subsidence and technical advantages (easier to insert especially through a posterior approach and tighter fit). In addition, nonmetallic cages (poly-ether-ether-ketone/carbon fibers, hydroxyapatite and ceramics) offer some distinct advantages over titanium, being more inert/biocompatible, osteoconductive and radiolucent. Treatment is also shifted towards minimally invasive surgery, rendering corpectomy a far less-morbid operation than it used to be.
authors.affiliation: H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Neurosurgical Department, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ioannis D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Papanastassiou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerochristou
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aghayev
authors.forename: Frank D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Vrionis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010027:Osteotomy; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials