title: Surgery for vertebral involvement in multiple myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the results of surgery for vertebral involvement in multiple myeloma (MM) following the introduction of the new chemotherapy in 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study evaluating the patients with MM vertebral lesions from January 2006 to January 2014. Outcomes were based upon participation in ODI and EQ-5D. Statistical interpretation of the data was performed with SPSS version 19 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty patients affected by MM were potentially eligible for recruitment. About 1/3 patients needed an operation for vertebral involvement. The disability was mainly related to the number of vertebrae affected by MM. No difference in disability and quality of life was observed between operated and non-operated patients, according to age, levels, and follow-up. The operated patients with a Thoracic location reported lower disability and higher quality of life than non-operated patients. Non-operated patients with one or two vertebrae affected reported lower levels of quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a spinal column involvement occurs, the probability of undergoing surgery is about 40%. Operated patients show a moderate disability and the increased tendency is related to the number of vertebrae involved. The quality of life is middle in average and middle-high in patients operated for thoracic lesions. Nowadays the spinal surgeon must have a perspective view about MM vertebral lesions, evaluating the stability of the spine, the presence of deformity, the risk of vertebral fractures and the presence of drug resistant pain, that deteriorate the disability and the quality of life related to the underlying disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy - dott.pasquale.donnarumma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Donnarumma
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rullo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grisaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, &quot;Sapienza&quot; University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delfini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery