Metastatic tumor of the spinal vertebra treated with replacement of artificial vertebral body

Objective To observe the results of the metastatic tumor of spinal vertebra treated with replacement of the artificial vertebral body. Method An adjustable hollow artificial vertebral body was made from titanium for medical use. 12 patients with the metastatic tumors of the vertebral body were treated with this technique. The relief of the pain and the function of spinal cord were monitored. The stability of the operated segments was observed.Results The patients were followed up from 6 to 34 months with an average of 11.5 months. The neurological functions were improved markedly, especially for the pain relieving. The implants were stable and the reconstruction of the segment height was observed on the X-ray films. Conclusions The height of anterior column and the stability of the operated segments can be reconstructed by implanting the adjustable hollow artificial vertebral body. This technique may be an alternative method for the treatment of the metastasis in spinal vertebral body.