Clinical Outcome of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Versus Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Multilevel Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty for Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral augmentation including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty may restore function without interfering with the therapeutic regimen of patients with multiple myeloma. We sought to evaluate the effects of adding multilevel vertebral augmentation to conventional therapy protocols for patients with multiple myeloma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received multilevel vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty) in addition to conventional therapy (MVA), and the other group received conventional therapy alone (CTA). Patients were evaluated before treatment and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years after treatment by using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Stanford Score (SS), and the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS).

RESULTS: The mean ODI, SS, and SINS were nearly equal before treatment, being 34.19 (68.38%), 4.58, and 12.30, respectively, for the MVA group and 32.29 (64.58%), 4.63, and 13.88, respectively, for the CTA group. There were significant differences in the ODI, SS, and SINS between the two groups at all follow-up intervals. The ODI and SINS were statistically significantly different between the two groups ( P =.020 and P <.001, respectively). There was an insignificant difference in SS between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: This study found that performing kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in addition to conventional therapy for patients with multiple myeloma resulted in enhanced morbidity and functional outcomes. [ Orthopedics . 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].