Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2009
ReviewVertebroplasty in the management of painful bony metastases.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is the injection of bone cement, usually polymethylmethacrylate into the vertebral body. This procedure is most often performed in a percutaneous fashion on an outpatient (or short-stay) basis. Among other indications, the procedure is designated for painful vertebral compression fractures due to primary or metastatic spinal tumors. ⋯ The overall risk of the procedure is low, although serious complications (including spinal cord compression) can occur. Recent advances in technique and materials may reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes. Proper patient selection and meticulous technique are required to achieve best results and to avoid complications.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2009
ReviewStereotactic radiosurgery in the management of cancer pain.
Pain can be a significant problem for the patient with advanced cancer, particularly if bone metastases are present. Radiation therapy is efficacious and has been a mainstay in the treatment of pain from bone metastases. ⋯ The indications for radiosurgery are continually expanding, and new and more sophisticated equipment is being developed to deliver more precise treatments. This article discusses the biology, rationale, evolution, and future direction of radiosurgery for the treatment of pain related to bony metastatic disease.