Percutaneous screw fixation and cementoplasty of metastatic sternal fracture: Descriptions of 2 cases

Abstract

Secondary lesions and hemopathy localized in sternal bone may be responsible for persistent pain and resistant to classical analgesics. Surgical treatment is not applicable in these cases. We report on 2 cases of sternal osteosynthesis by internal cemented screw fixation, under fluoroscopy and CT scan control, without complication and with clear, immediate reduction of pain. Cementoplasty alone does not appear to be the most appropriate approach for treating lytic sternal lesions which are subject to traction and distraction forces, and resistant to analgesics. Discussion of these 2 cases demonstrate that internal cemented screw fixation allows for rapid management of pain in lytic lesions of the sternum in cancer-related context and should be more widespread in the medical community.

Keywords

• Sternum
• Fracture
• Internal cemented screw fixation
• Interventional Radiology. Abbreviations: FICS, Fixation by internal cemented screw
• NPRS, Numeric Pain Rating Scale
• EQ-5D, EuroQol 5 dimensions score