Ablation of Musculoskeletal Metastases

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to summarize the evidence supporting thermal ablation of musculoskeletal metastases on the basis of clinical application and to describe an approach to percutaneous ablative treatment, including patient workup, procedural strategy and techniques, and postablation follow-up.

Conclusion: Percutaneous ablation of musculoskeletal metastases may result in significant pain palliation, prevention of morbidity from skeletal-related events, and local tumor control. This minimally invasive approach has unique advantages compared with surgery or radiation therapy.

Keywords: ablation; bone metastases; cryoablation musculoskeletal tumors; radiofrequency ablation.