Vertebroplasty as a palliative treatment option for intractable pain in pediatric patients with spinal tumors

Primary and secondary malignant tumors of the spine are relatively uncommon in the pediatric population but are associated with high morbidity and significantly decreased quality of life due to pain. Local management of these tumors is often challenging due to the importance of maintaining vertebral mechanical integrity as well as the spinal growth potential. Typically, surgery and/or radiation therapy have been used in the primary management of these tumors. However, treatment options become more limited when there is relapse or refractory disease, with re-resection or additional radiotherapy often not being viable therapies. Vertebroplasty is a currently underutilized modality that might provide significant pain palliation in cases of relapsed cancer in the spine.

Automated summary

Primary and secondary malignant tumors of the spine are rare in the pediatric population but can cause high morbidity and decreased quality of life due to pain. Local management is challenging, with surgery and/or radiation therapy typically used in primary treatment. Treatment options become limited in cases of relapse or refractory disease, with vertebroplasty being a potentially underutilized modality for pain relief in relapsed cancer in the spine.