Transoral Vertebroplasty for Renal Cell Metastasis Involving the Axis

Abstract

Case report. This is one of the first reported cases of transoral vertebroplasty for a solid metastatic tumor at C2 body. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has gained popularity as a treatment option for painful neoplastic lesions of the spine. The technique has been useful in reducing pain and stabilizing the spinal segment that is vulnerable to fracture. However, there is very little experience with vertebroplasty in the cervical spine and, more specifically, at C2. We present a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the C2 body. The patient, a 61-year-old woman, presented with an excruciating neck pain. Diagnostic workup revealed the presence of tumor in the right kidney. Multiple spinal levels were involved in addition to C2, and the C2 lesion was treated for palliative purpose. Under biplanar fluoroscopy, a vertebroplasty trocar was placed transorally into the central portion of the C2 body, and polymethyl methacrylate was injected. The transoral vertebroplasty achieved complete pain relief and enhanced stability of an extensive osteolytic lesion involving the C2 body. This minimal access procedure was effective in completely relieving pain from a metastatic deposit at C2, while adequately stabilizing the vulnerable segment by the injection of polymethyl methacrylate. The transoral route requires meticulous fluoroscopic control to prevent the leakage of polymethyl methacrylate but provides the most direct access to the C2 body.