Infrared thermographic evaluation of patients with metastatic vertebral fractures after combined minimal invasive surgical treatment

Background: Vertebral cement augmentation and external beam radiotherapy have become increasingly used techniques for treatment of vertebralcompression fractures due to spinal metastatic lesions in the Republic of Moldova. Surgically, the goal of vertebral cement augmentation is to improvethe strength and stability of the injured vertebrae, as well as local tumor control. External beam radiotherapy for suppressing tumor or inducing painrelief are performed immediately after vertebral cement augmentation. Usually, local tumor control is occurred by CT or MRI studies. We have studiedthrough the infrared thermography the dynamics of temperature gradient of tumoral foci skin projection.

Material and methods: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the local tumoral control, analyzing the infrared thermographic examinations in 33 patients with uncomplicated metastatic vertebral fractures, undergoing combined method of treatment (vertebral cement augmentation + external beamradiotherapy), before the treatment and at 12 months follow-up.

Results: We observed an indirect tumor “thermographic field” decrease registered by temperature gradient decrease from an average of 2.03\(\pm\)0.24ºC inpreoperatively to 1.28\(\pm\)0.33ºC at 12 months postoperatively follow-up.

Conclusions: Combined method of stabilization (vertebral cement augmentation + external beam radiotherapy) in patients with uncomplicated metastaticvertebral fractures is effective in minimal invasive surgery and offering local tumor control.