Percutaneous cementoplasty for pelvic bone metastasis

The aim of this retrospective study was to prove the effectiveness of percu taneous cementoplasty in pelvic bone metastases, We studied the data entere d in a multicenter prospective database on Is cancer patients (average age 58 years) who underwent percutaneous computed tomography (CT) or fluoroscop y-guided cementoplasty from September 1996 to September 1998, The metastati c sites were: acetabulum (n = 12), iliac bone (n = 2), and sacrum (n = 4). Indications were pain recurrence (n = 9) or no relief (n = 3) after radioth erapy, and 6 procedures were performed before radiation. Mean follow-up was 4.6 months, ranging from 11 days up to 24 months. Improvement in pain and walking was obtained in 81.8% cases, and it was generally maintained, excep t in 1 patient who experienced pain again at day 15 because of an acetabula r fracture. Percutaneous cementoplasty is a safe and efficient technique, a nd is mandatory when radiotherapy fails or when rapid resolution of pain is requested.