Abstract
Occurrence of bone metastases is a common event in oncology. Bone metastases are associated
with pain, functional impairment, and fractures, particularly when weight-bearing
bones are involved. Management of bone metastases has been improved by the development
of various interventional radiology consolidation techniques. Cementoplasty is based
on injection of acrylic cement into a weakened bone to reinforce it and to control
pain. This minimally invasive technique has proven its efficacy for flat bone submitted
to compression forces. However, resistance to torsion forces is limited and, thus,
treatment of long bones should be considered with caution. In recent years, variant
techniques of percutaneous bone consolidation have emerged, including expansion devices
for vertebral augmentation and percutaneous screw fixation for pelvic bone and proximal
femur tumors. Research projects are ongoing to develop drug-loaded cements to use
them as therapeutic vectors. However, release of drugs is still poorly controlled
and conventional polymethylmethacrylate cement remains the gold standard in oncology.
Image-guided consolidation techniques enhance the array of treatments in bone oncology.
Multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to select the best indications.
Keywords
cementoplasty - vertebroplasty - bone metastasis - screw fixation - interventional
radiology
