Cervical Kyphoplasty and OsteoCoolTM Radiofrequency Ablation for Painful Cervical Metastasis: A Case Report and Novel Approach for Pain Relief

Background: Metastatic bone pain is very difficult to treat and challenging to manage for health care professionals. Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty has been used to reinstate the height of a compressed fractured vertebral body. OsteoCoolTM radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new ablation technique and at present, current literature only supports its role for thoracic and lumbar vertebral metastases. Case Report: In the present case report, we utilized OsteoCoolTM RFA using anterolateral cervical kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis with intractable pain and limited range of motion. Discussion: A successful palliative treatment was provided with a combination of kyphoplasty and OsteoCoolTM RFA. The patient has had great relief of pain and an increased range of motion of the cervical spine post procedure. Conclusion: Anterolateral balloon kyphoplasty provides stability to fractured vertebrae and when combined with OsteoCoolTM RFA, it potentially can provide effective pain relief in patients who have failed radiation and for whom surgery is contraindicated. Key words: Cervical kyphoplasty, cervical vertebral metastasis, kyphoplasty, OsteoCoolTM