Biomechanics of vertebral level, geometry, and transcortical tumors in the metastatic spine.

Metastatic involvement can disrupt the mechanical integrity of the spine, rendering vertebrae susceptible to burst fracture and neurologic damage. Fracture risk assessment for patients with spinal metastases is important in considering prophylactic treatment options. Stability of thoracic vertebrae affected by metastatic disease has been shown to be dependent on tumor size and bone density, but additional structural and geometric factors may also play a role in fracture risk assessment. The objective of this study was to use parametric finite element modeling to determine the effects of vertebral level, geometry, and metastatic compromise to the cortical shell on the risk of burst fracture in the thoracic spine. Analysis of vertebral level and geometry was assessed by investigation of seven scenarios ranging in geometry from T2-T4 to T10-T12. The effects of cortical shell compromised were assessed by comparison of four transcortical scenarios to a fully contained central vertebral body tumor scenario. Results demonstrated that upper thoracic vertebrae are at greater risk of burst fracture and that kyphotic motion segments are at decreased risk of burst fracture. Vertebrae with transcortical lesions are up to 30% less likely to lead to burst fracture initiation. The findings of this study are important for improving the understanding of burst fracture mechanics in metastatically involved vertebrae and guiding future modeling efforts.

Optimization of tumor volume reduction and cement augmentation in percutaneous vertebroplasty for prophylactic treatment of spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal metastatic disease occurs in up to one-third of all cancer patients. Metastasis can lead to vertebral burst fracture and consequent neurologic compromise. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at restoring vertebral stability by augmentation of weakened vertebrae with bone cement. PV is associated with a complication rate of 10% in treating vertebral metastases. Tumor ablation before cement injection has been suggested to improve PV outcome in the metastatic spine. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of volumetric tumor reduction and cement augmentation in the metastatic spine and to develop a protocol for recommended cement volume to achieve sufficient restoration of intact (nonpathologic) vertebral body stability. METHODS: A biphasic parametric finite element model of an L1 spinal motion segment was developed and validated against previously collected experimental data. Using this model, 12 scenarios were simulated to represent tumor volume reductions of up to 60% and cement augmentation from 1 to 8 mL. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of intact vertebral stability is possible in metastatic vertebrae after 30% tumor ablation and 1 to 2 mL bone cement augmentation. A protocol was developed on the basis of the findings of this study suggesting recommended cement volume for injection as a function of remaining tumor volume after ablation. These findings may motivate refined methods of prophylactic treatment of metastatic vertebrae.

Metastatic burst fracture risk assessment based on complex loading of the thoracic spine.

The mechanical integrity of vertebral bone is compromised when metastatic cancer cells migrate to the spine, rendering it susceptible to burst fracture under physiologic loading. Risk of burst fracture has been shown to be dependent on the magnitude of the applied load, however limited work has been conducted to determine the effect of load type on the stability of the metastatic spine. The objective of this study was to use biphasic finite element modeling to evaluate the effect of multiple loading conditions on a metastatically-involved thoracic spinal motion segment. Fifteen loading scenarios were analyzed, including axial compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, torsion, and combined loads. Additional analyses were conducted to assess the impact of the ribcage on the stability of the thoracic spine. Results demonstrate that axial loading is the predominant load type leading to increased risk of burst fracture initiation, while rotational loading led to only moderate increases in risk. Inclusion of the ribcage was found to reduce the potential for burst fracture by 27%. These findings are important in developing a more comprehensive understanding of burst fracture mechanics and in directing future modeling efforts. The results in this study may also be useful in advising less harmful activities for patients affected by lytic spinal metastases.

Biomechanical assessment of stability in the metastatic spine following percutaneous vertebroplasty: effects of cement distribution patterns and volume.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, radiologically guided procedure whereby bone cement is injected into structurally weakened vertebrae to provide added biomechanical stability. In addition to treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures, this technique is also used to relieve pain by stabilizing metastatically compromised vertebrae that are at risk of pathologic burst fracture. Optimal cement distribution patterns to improve biomechanical stability to metastatically involved vertebral bodies remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of cement location and volume of cement injected during percutaneous vertebroplasty on improving vertebral stability in a metastatically-compromised spinal motion segment using a parametric poroelastic finite element model. A three-dimensional parametric finite element model of a thoracic spinal motion segment was developed and analyzed using commercially available software. A total of 16 metastatic pre and post vertebroplasty scenarios were investigated using a serrated spherical representation of tumor tissue and various geometric representations of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The effect of vertebroplasty on vertebral bulge, a measure of posterior vertebral body wall motion as an indicator of burst fracture initiation, was assessed. In all cases, vertebroplasty reduced vertebral bulge, but the risk of the initiation of burst fracture was minimized with cement located posterior to the tumor, near the posterior vertebral body wall. Vertebral bulge decreased by up to 62% with 20% cement injection. These findings demonstrate that location and distribution of cement within the vertebral body has a noticeable effect on the restoration of biomechanical stability following percutaneous vertebroplasty.