Sacral Insufficiency Fractures Research Articles

The influence of pelvic tilt on sacral insufficiency fracture occurrence: Insights into the prevalence of high pelvic tilt among patients affected

IntroductionFragility fractures without significant trauma of the pelvic ring in older patients have an increasing incidence due to demographic change. Influencing factors other than osteoporotic bone quality that lead to an insufficiency fracture are not yet known. However, it is suspected that the pelvic tilt (PT) has an effect on the development of such an insufficiency fracture. This study explores the influence of the PTs in patients with insufficiency fractures of the posterior pelvic ring. Materials and MethodsA total of 49 geriatric patients with fragility fractures of the pelvic ring were treated at a university hospital level-1 trauma center during a period between February and December 2023, and their fractures were classified according to the FFP classification of Rommens and Hofmann. Complete sets of computer tomography (CT) and radiological images were available to determine the PT angle of the patients. Results34 FFP type 2 and 15 FFP type 3 classified patients were included in the study. Significant difference was seen in the pelvic tilt (PT) angle between the patient group with insufficiency fractures (n= 49; mean age: 78.02 ± 11.80) and the control group with lumbago patients (n= 53; mean age: 69.23 ± 11.23). The PT was significantly higher in the patients with insufficiency fractures (25.74° ± 4.76; p⁎⁎⁎⁎ ≤ 0.0001). ConclusionsThe study demonstrates a significant extension of the PT angle of individuals with insufficiency fractures when compared to those with lumbago. The result suggests a potential association between pelvic tilt and fracture susceptibility. Trial registrationA retrospective study about the influence of sagittal balance of the spine on insufficiency fractures of the posterior pelvic ring measured by the "pelvic tilt angle", DRKS00032120. Registered 20th June 2023 - Prospectively registered. Trial registration number DRKS00032120.

Sacroplasty for Sacral Insufficiency Fractures: Narrative Literature Review on Patient Selection, Technical Approaches, and Outcomes.

Sacral insufficiency fractures commonly affect elderly women with osteoporosis and can cause debilitating lower back pain. First line management is often with conservative measures such as early mobilization, multimodal pain management, and osteoporosis management. If non-operative management fails, sacroplasty is a minimally invasive intervention that may be pursued. Candidates for sacroplasty are patients with persistent pain, inability to tolerate immobilization, or patients with low bone mineral density. Before undergoing sacroplasty, patients' bone health should be optimized with pharmacotherapy. Anabolic agents prior to or in conjunction with sacroplasty have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Sacroplasty can be safely performed through a number of techniques: short-axis, long-axis, coaxial, transiliac, interpedicular, and balloon-assisted. The procedure has been demonstrated to rapidly and durably reduce pain and improve mobility, with little risk of complications. This article aims to provide a narrative literature review of sacroplasty including, patient selection and optimization, the various technical approaches, and short and long-term outcomes.

Is Nothing Sacrum? Identification and Treatment of Sacral Insufficiency Fractures

Sacral insufficiency fractures are an overlooked etiology of back pain that can also be difficult to diagnose radiographically. Advanced imaging, including MR and scintigraphy, are useful modalities for diagnosis, as these fractures are frequently missed on plain films. Management is often conservative to avoid surgical fixation, a rarely performed surgery due to its high morbidity. Radiologists are also able to provide symptomatic relief via sacroplasty, a minimally invasive, percutaneous, image-guided procedure first described in 2002. The most common sites of pelvic insufficiency fractures include the sacral ala and parasymphyseal region of the os pubis. The butterfly or “H-shaped” pattern is a classic sign of this fracture on scintigraphy, best appreciated posteriorly. MR is considered the gold standard in diagnosing insufficiency fractures and is characterized by low T1 band-like signal intensity with corresponding high T2/T2 short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) signal intensity. Such fractures can be treated via sacroplasty by carefully injecting polymethylmethacrylate bone cement via one or more trocar needles. Knowledge of sacral anatomy is critical during the procedure to not violate specific sacral zones or traverse any of the neural foramina.

Is Nothing Sacrum? Identification and Treatment of Sacral Insufficiency Fractures

Is Nothing Sacrum? Identification and Treatment of Sacral Insufficiency Fractures

Sacral insufficiency fracture: a single-center experience of 185 patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) is a commonly underdiagnosed etiology of back pain, especially in the geriatric and osteoporotic population. In this clinical study, we present our experience of 185 patients who were diagnosed with SIF and managed either with conservative or surgical treatment with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Patients who were diagnosed with SIF, managed either conservatively or surgically, and had a minimum 5-year follow-up medical record were included in this study. CT scans and MR imaging including coronal STIR sequence were obtained from all. Bone densitometry (DEXA) was performed to detect accompanying osteopenia or osteoporosis. Patients were treated either conservatively or surgically. VAS and ODI scores were evaluated prior to the treatment and 1st day, 10th day, 3rd month, and 1st year postoperatively. The mean age of 185 patients was 69.2 and the mean follow-up period was 7.23years (range: 5-11years). 46 (24.9%) patients had a previous spinal or spinopelvic surgery and spinal instrumentation was implemented in 22(11.89%) of them. The time interval between the fusion surgery and the diagnosis of SIF was approximately 9.48weeks. The fracture line could be detected with the MRI in 164 patients and with the CT in 177 patients. The fracture was bilateral in 120 (64.8%) patients. 102 patients were treated conservatively, and 83 received sacroplasty. VAS and ODI scores showed better improvement in pain and functionality in the surgical management group than in the conservative management group. SIF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of back and pelvic pain, especially in elderly and osteoporotic patients. MRI with coronal STIR imaging should be a standard protocol for patients with a risk of SIF. Our results show that sacroplasty provides better and faster pain relief and recovery than conservative management.

Low pressure headache and cerebral fat embolism from a sacral fracture through a Tarlov cyst: a case report

BackgroundHere we report the only formally documented case in the United Kingdom, to our knowledge, of a cerebral fat embolism secondary to non-iatrogenic trauma through a Tarlov cyst. This case demonstrates the pathology clearly giving an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a rarely seen pathology as well as illustrating the importance of the patient history to guiding further management.Case presentationA middle-aged patient was admitted on the acute medical take complaining of severe headache with photophobia, having just returned after a skiing holiday. Computerised tomography scan of the head showed fat within the anterior horn of both lateral ventricles, and within the subarachnoid space. Re-discussion with the patient and subsequent MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the spine identified the pathogenesis of her symptoms: a sacral insufficiency fracture through a Tarlov cyst, causing subarachnoid fat embolism and symptoms of a low-pressure headaches due to a dural leak. Patient was medically managed and discharged with planned follow-up. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and resolution of the patient's symptoms, they declined further follow up imaging.ConclusionsThe case demonstrates a rarely seen pathology as cause of a common presenting problem, headache. Emphasizing the importance of history taking and appropriate investigations in medical cases that do not conform to the usual diagnosis.

Sacral insufficiency fractures are a frequent and painful consequence of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis.

Pubic symphysis osteomyelitis can result from urosymphyseal fistula formation. High rates of sacropelvic insufficiency fractures have been reported in this population. The aim of this study was to describe the presentation and risk factors for sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) associated with surgical treatment of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis. A retrospective review was performed for 54 patients who underwent surgery for pubic symphysis osteomyelitis associated with a urosymphyseal fistula at a single institution from 2009 to 2022. Average age was 71years and 53 patients (98%) were male. All patients underwent debridement or partial resection of the pubic symphysis at the time of fistula treatment. Average width of the symphyseal defect was 65mm (range 9-122) after treatment. Twenty patients (37%) developed SIF at a mean time of 4months from osteomyelitis diagnosis. Rate of sacral fracture on Kaplan-Meier analysis was 31% at 6months, 39% at 12months, and 41% at 2years. Eleven patients developed SIF prior to pubic debridement and 12 patients developed new or worsening of pre-existing SIF following surgery. Width of pubic resection was higher in patients who developed SIF (76mm vs. 62mm), but this did not meet statistical significance (p = 0.18). Sacral insufficiency fracture is a common sequela of pubic symphysis osteomyelitis. These fractures are often multifocal within the pelvis and can occur even prior to pubic resection. Pubectomy further predisposes these patients to fracture. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for these injuries in patients with symphyseal osteomyelitis.

A Systematic Review of Sacral Insufficiency Fractures: Treatment Modalities and Outcomes.

Sacral insufficiency fractures can be managed conservatively, by surgical fixation or by sacroplasty. This systematic review compared the outcomes of different treatment modalities to ascertain the best. Studies included in this systematic review were those with sacral insufficiency fracture in elderly patients with some measure of outcomes reported. Fractures due to high-energy trauma or malignancy or in non-elderly patients were excluded. The review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from inception to January 6, 2022, yielding a total of 4299 papers of which 35 were eligible for inclusion. Pain reduction following sacroplasty (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) difference 5.83, SD 1.14, n = 901) was superior compared with conservative management (VAS difference 3.7, SD 2.71, n = 65) (p <0.0001) and surgical fixation (with screws/rods +/- cement augmentation; VAS difference 4.1, SD 1.106, n = 154) (p< 0.001). There was no significant difference between pain relief following screw fixation and after conservative management (p = 0.1216). Hospital stay duration was shorter following sacroplasty (4.1 days )SD 3.9)) versus fixation (10.3 days (SD 5.59)) (p= 0.0001).Available evidence points to sacroplasty resulting in better pain relief and shorter hospital stay than other treatment options.

Sacral H-shaped fractures between traumatic, insufficiency and fatigue fractures : Similarities, differences and controversies

In the basic entirety of stress fractures, insufficiency fractures are defined as fractures caused by prolonged normal or physiological loading of abone with insufficient elastic resistance. This clearly distinguishes it from fatigue fractures, in which excessive loads are continuously applied to abone with normal elastic resistance. According to Pentecost (1964) both entities of stress fracture result from "the inherent inability of the bone to withstand stress applied without violence in a rhythmical, repeated, subthreshold manner". This distinguishes them from acute traumatic fractures. In the clinical routine these differences are not always so clearly presented. The example of the H‑shaped sacral fracture is used to illustrate the relevance of aclear terminology. In this context, current controversies in the treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures are discussed.

Comparison of patterns and rates of cement leakage in percutaneous sacroplasty for sacral insufficiency fractures versus neoplasia.

Percutaneous sacroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure which utilises injection of bone cement into the sacrum for stabilisation of osteoporotic sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) and neoplastic lesions to relieve pain and improve function. While effective, cement leakage is an important complication associated with the procedure. This study aims to compare the incidence and patterns of the cement leakages following sacroplasty for SIF versus neoplasia and discuss the various patterns of cement leakage and their implications. This retrospective study analysed 57 patients who underwent percutaneous sacroplasty at a tertiary orthopaedic hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups of SIF (n=46) and neoplastic lesions (n=11) based on their indication for sacroplasty. Pre- and post-procedural CT fluoroscopy was used to assess for cement leakage. The incidence and patterns of cement leakage were both compared among the two groups. A Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. Eleven (19%) patients had cement leakage on post-procedural imaging. The most common sites of cement leakage were into the presacral region (6), followed by sacroiliac joints (4), sacral foramina (3) and posterior sacral (1). There was a statistically significant higher incidence of leakage in the neoplastic group in comparison to SIF group (P-value <0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the neoplastic group was 45% (n = 5/11) versus SIF 13% (n=6/46). There was a statistically significant higher incidence of cement leak in sacroplasties conducted for the treatment of neoplastic lesions compared to those with sacral insufficiency fracture.

Novel Standalone Motion-Sparing Pelvic Fixation Prevents Short-Term Insufficiency Fractures After Midsacrectomies Without Sacrificing Normal, Mobile Lumbar Segments Traditionally Used for Stabilization.

Sacrectomy is often the treatment of choice to provide the greatest chance of progression-free and overall survival for patients with primary malignant bone tumors of the sacrum. After midsacrectomy, the stability of the sacropelvic interface is diminished, resulting in insufficiency fractures. Traditional stabilization involves lumbopelvic fixation but subjects normal mobile segments to fusion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether standalone intrapelvic fixation is a safe adjunct to midsacrectomy, avoiding both sacral insufficiency fractures and the morbidity of instrumenting into the mobile spine. A retrospective study identified all patients who underwent resection of sacral tumors at 2 comprehensive cancer centers between June 2020 and July 2022. Demographic, tumor-specific, operative characteristics and outcome data were collected. The primary outcome was presence of sacral insufficiency fractures. A retrospective data set of patients undergoing midsacrectomy without hardware placement was collected as a control. Nine patients (5 male, 4 female), median age 59 years, underwent midsacrectomy with concomitant placement of standalone pelvic fixation. No patients developed insufficiency fractures during the 216 days of clinical and 207 days of radiographic follow-up. There were no adverse events attributable to the addition of standalone pelvic fixation. In our historical cohort of partial sacrectomies without stabilization, there were 4/25 patients (16%) with sacral insufficiency fractures. These fractures appeared between 0 and 5 months postoperatively. A novel standalone intrapelvic fixation after partial sacrectomy is a safe adjunct to prevent postoperative sacral insufficiency fractures in patients undergoing midsacrectomy for tumor. Such a technique may allow for long-term sacropelvic stability without sacrificing mobile lumbar segments.

An Interim Analysis of the First 102 Patients Treated in the Prospective Vertebral Augmentation Sacroplasty Fracture Registry

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of sacroplasty for treating sacral insufficiency fractures, including the effect on pain relief, patient function and adverse event rates in an as-treated on-label prospective data registry. Materials and MethodsObservational data including patient reported outcomes (PROs), patient characteristics, osteoporosis treatment, fracture duration, cause of sacral fractures and image guidance used for treatment were collected for patients undergoing sacroplasty. The PROs were collected at baseline then at one, three, and at six months following the procedure. The primary outcomes were pain as measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and function as measured by the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Secondary outcomes included adverse events, cement leakage, new neurologic events, readmissions and death. ResultsThe interim results for the first 102 patients included significant pain reduction with mean pain improvement scores at six months decreasing from 7.8 to 0.9 (P < .001) and significant improvement in function with mean RMDQ scores improving from 17.7 to 5.2 (P < .001). Most procedures were performed under fluoroscopy (58%). There was cement leakage in 17.7% of the subjects but only one adverse event which was a new neurologic deficit related to cement extravasation. The readmission rate was 16% mostly due to additional back pain and fractures and there were no subject deaths. ConclusionsSacroplasty with cement augmentation for acute, subacute and chronic painful sacral insufficiency fractures caused by osteoporosis or neoplastic disorders results in highly significant improvements in pain and function with very low rate of procedural related adverse events.

Acetabular and sacral insufficiency fractures in a patient with a long-term history of Alendronate consumption; a case report

BackgroundLong-term Bisphosphonate consumption has been reported to be associated with the incidence of atypical or insufficiency fracture, particularly in the proximal femur. We observed a case of acetabular and sacral insufficiency fractures in a patient with a long-term history of Alendronate consumption.Case presentationA 62-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of pain in right lower limb following low-energy trauma. The patient had a history of Alendronate consumption for more than 10 years. The bone scan revealed increased radiotracer uptake in the right side of the pelvic, proximal right femur, and sacroiliac joint. The radiographs showed type 1 sacrum fracture, acetabulum fracture with femur head protrusion into the pelvis, quadrilateral surface fracture, fracture of the right anterior column, and right superior and inferior pubic fracture. The patient was treated with total hip arthroplasty.ConclusionThis case highlights the concerns regarding long-term bisphosphonate therapy and its potential complications.

Teriparatide treatment shows faster healing than sacroplasty for postmenopausal women with sacral insufficiency fracture

ObjectivesSacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) is not an uncommon osteoporosis fracture among the elderly. Aside from traditional treatments, sacroplasty and teriparatide (TPTD) injection have been introduced. This report aims to compare the effects of sacroplasty and teriparatide on clinical outcomes of SIF. MethodsThirty-one elderly patients with SIF were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Four male patients were excluded. Fourteen patients who received TPTD for 6 months were classified into the TPTD group (TT), and 13 who underwent sacroplasty were classified into the sacroplasty group (SS). All patients in both groups were instructed to take calcium and vitamin D supplements daily. Their symptoms and signs, visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and radiographic studies were retrospectively reviewed. ResultsThe TT group showed significantly lower VAS than SS group after 3 (P < 0.001) and 6 months of treatment (P < 0.001). The TT group also has significant lower ODI than SS group after 1 (P = 0.010), 3 (P = 0.005) and 6 months (P < 0.001) of treatment. Upon generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis, the TT group showed significantly more reduction in both VAS and ODI compared to the SS group at 1 month (P = 0.022, P = 0.001), 3 months (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and 6 months (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) post-treatment. ConclusionsPostmenoposal woman with SIF who received TPTD healed better than those who underwent sacroplasty after 1 month treatment.

Le traitement conservateur des fractures du sacrum par insuffisance osseuse est-il toujours d’actualité ? Étude clinique observationnelle à propos de 46 patients

BackgroundAccording to current forecasts, our society will grow older and older, so that the proportion of 6 % of the German population from 2017 who were 80 years or older will increase further. The frequency of falls in this patient population lead to a further increase of sacral insufficiency fractures. HypothesisThe aim of this study is to evaluate the multimodal interdisciplinary conservative therapy regime for sacral insufficiency fractures in geriatric patients, especially on the basis of mobility and the need for assistance. Patients and methodsA cohort of patients, who were treated as inpatients at the Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien in Erlangen with ICD-10 for sacral fractures S32.1 as the main diagnosis, was retrospectively examined. Only newly diagnosed sacral insufficiency fractures were taken into account. Patients were divided into groups based on the factors hospital stay, fracture location on the sacrum, and location of concomitant pelvic ring injury. The Barthel Index, the Tinetti's Mobility Test and the Timed Up&Go Test were recorded. ResultsForty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Using the conservative therapy, improvements were achieved in all patients in terms of need for care, mobility without aids and risk of falling, also patients with an anterior and posterior pelvic ring fracture. Regard a score improvement in the Barthel Index and Tinetti Mobility Test, patients with bilateral sacral insufficiency fracture (n=17, 37.0 %) did not differ significantly from patients with unilateral sacral insufficiency fracture (n=22, 47.8 %). ConclusionIn geriatric patients, decisions about therapy should always be made on an individual and interdisciplinary basis. The conservative therapy regimen continues to play an important role in this. The collected tests – consisting of Barthel Index, Tinetti Mobility Test and Timed Up&Go Test – are well suited for further reproducible, objective studies with a larger patient collective. Level of evidenceIV.

A rare case of hairy cell leukaemia presenting as an isolated pathological neck of femur fracture

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare B non-Hodgkin lymphoma that commonly presents with cytopenias, splenomegaly and infection. We report a 58-year-old man who presented acutely with left hip pain. MRI scan identified a pathological neck of femur fracture, along with a subacute sacral fracture. A left total hip replacement was performed and sent for histology which showed infiltration of the bone and surrounding tissue by monotonous small lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD20, CD25 and BRAF (VE1) and negative for CD5, CD10, cyclin D1 and S100, consistent with HCL. BRAF V600E mutation was also identified using real-time PCR, supporting the diagnosis. Full blood examination and film was normal at presentation. Bone marrow aspirate was normal, with no clonal B cells on flow cytometry and normal cytogenetics. FDG-PET scan did not show splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, but the sacral insufficiency fracture was PET-avid, possibly representing a second distinct site of bone involvement. Due to ongoing pain the patient was treated with radiation to the hip and sacrum and remains well with follow-up. In summary we present a rare case of HCL presenting as multiple localised skeletal lesions without any detectable marrow or organ involvement, highlighting a unique presentation of this condition.

Operative Technique for Sacral Insufficiency Fractures Causing Spinopelvic Dissociation: A Case Report.

We present a case of a 54-year-old man with atraumatic, U-type sacral insufficiency and L5 compression fractures leading to spinopelvic dissociation, inability to ambulate, and bowel/bladder compromise. The patient underwent L3-4 percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with bilateral iliac bolts and percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation. Postoperatively, the patient had return of bowel/bladder function and independent ambulation at 2.5 years. Atraumatic spinopelvic dissociation is an underappreciated pathology in older patients. Here, we describe the result of our preferred treatment strategy, triangular osteosynthesis, to preserve function and independence. Despite optimal, prompt treatment, these injuries pose a difficult rehabilitation process for patients.

An Undiagnosed Sacral Insufficiency Fracture in an Osteoporotic Elderly Woman

An Undiagnosed Sacral Insufficiency Fracture in an Osteoporotic Elderly Woman

Is the conservative treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures still up to date? Retrospective clinical observational study in 46 patients

BackgroundAccording to current forecasts, our society will grow older and older, so that the proportion of 6% of the German population from 2017 who were 80 years or older will increase further. The frequency of falls in this patient population lead to a further increase of sacral insufficiency fractures. HypothesisThe aim of this study is to evaluate the multimodal interdisciplinary conservative therapy regime for sacral insufficiency fractures in geriatric patients, especially on the basis of mobility and the need for assistance. Patients and MethodsA cohort of patients, who were treated as inpatients at the Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien in Erlangen with ICD-10 for sacral fractures S32.1 as the main diagnosis, was retrospectively examined. Only newly diagnosed sacral insufficiency fractures were taken into account. Patients were divided into groups based on the factors hospital stay, fracture location on the sacrum, and location of concomitant pelvic ring injury. The Barthel Index, the Tinetti's Mobility Test and the Timed Up&Go Test were recorded. Results46 patients met the inclusion criteria. Using the conservative therapy, improvements were achieved in all patients in terms of need for care, mobility without aids and risk of falling, also patients with an anterior and posterior pelvic ring fracture. Regard a score improvement in the Barthel Index and Tinetti Mobility Test, patients with bilateral sacral insufficiency fracture (n=17, 37.0%) did not differ significantly from patients with unilateral sacral insufficiency fracture (n=22, 47.8%). ConclusionIn geriatric patients, decisions about therapy should always be made on an individual and interdisciplinary basis. The conservative therapy regimen continues to play an important role in this. The collected tests–consisting of Barthel Index, Tinetti Mobility Test and Timed Up&Go Test–are well suited for further reproducible, objective studies with a larger patient collective. Level of evidenceIV.

PO30 Presentation Time: 10:30 AM: Intracavitary Brachytherapy Using a Shielded Cylinder, Clinical Use and Patient Toxicity

<h3>Purpose</h3> The utility of shielded cylinder intracavitary brachytherapy applicators in clinical practice has not been reported. We evaluated patients treated using this applicator to report its use in clinical practice and toxicity following treatment. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> This single institution retrospective study included all patients who received high-dose rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy using a shielded cylinder applicator (#GM11003380, Varian Systems, Palo Alto, CA) as a component of treatment between July 2013-November 2021. Treatment parameters, dosimetry; tumor and treatment characteristics were abstracted from the medical record. Patient toxicities were collected prospectively through an institutional radiation toxicity database. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 48 patients received 188 HDR intracavitary brachytherapy treatments, with 157 using a shielded cylinder. The majority (90%) also received external beam radiation (EBRT) to a median dose of 4500cGy in 25 fractions (interquartile range, IQR, 4500-5625cGy). Common fractionations (fx) for brachytherapy included 2000cGy/4fx with EBRT for patients with recurrent uterine cancer, 2000-2800cGy/4fx with EBRT or 3000cGy/5fx without EBRT for patients with primary vaginal or vulvar cancer, and 500cGy/1fx with EBRT for rectal cancer patients. The median total EBRT + brachytherapy EQD2 was 6930cGy (IQR 6930-7900cGy). In the treatments delivered with a shielded cylinder, shielding was used to reduce dose to rectum (51%), uninvolved vagina (34%), and bladder/urethra (8%). The most common shielding pattern was 180° (78%) and 90° (20%), with a minority of treatments using 270° shielding (2%). In cases where shielding was used to reduce rectal dose, the D2cc[Gy] rectal dose in delivered plans was 1.18Gy (range 0.53 - 3.92Gy). In patients who had both unshielded and shielded treatment plans, the D2cc[Gy] rectal dose was reduced from 4.07Gy to 1.69Gy, respectively. The median total EQD2 rectal dose in patients who received EBRT in 25 fractions in addition to brachytherapy was 38.9Gy (range 14.8 - 47.8Gy). Acute grade 2-3 toxicities included dermatitis (9), cystitis (4), proctitis (3), fatigue (2), nausea (2), pain (2), and anemia (1). In patients who received brachytherapy alone there were no grade 2+ toxicities reported. Late grade 2-3 toxicities reported 6+ months after radiation therapy included vaginal stricture (4), vaginal dryness (1), fatigue (1), lower GI hemorrhage (1), lymphedema (1), urinary frequency (1), and urinary incontinence (1). One patient had a grade 3 vaginal fistula noted at 6-months. There was one grade 2 sacral insufficiency fracture noted at 4-months. There were no acute or late grade 4-5 toxicities. Median follow-up was 35 months (IQR 11-55 months). Fifteen patients died, 6 from cancer progression and 9 from non-cancer causes. Fifteen patients had cancer progression at a median of 28 months from completion of brachytherapy. Five patients had local-only failures, 9 patients had distant-only failures, and 1 patient had pelvic nodal failure. There was no difference in total EQD2 delivered to tumor between those patients who had local failure versus local control, with a median EQD2 of 69.3Gy and 69.5Gy, respectively. The location of local failure was in the unshielded area in three patients and involved the shielded area in two patients. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Shielded cylinder applicators can be utilized successfully in the treatment of well selected patients with primary and recurrent gynecologic cancers and rectal cancers, enabling dose reduction to non-target structures with low treatment-related toxicity.