Radiolucent carbon fiber-reinforced implants for treatment of spinal tumors- clinical, radiographic, and dosimetric considerations. World neurosurgery Takayanagi, A., Siddiqi, I., Ghanchi, H., Lischalk, J., Vrionis, F., Ratliff, J., Bilsky, M., Hariri, O. R. 2021

Abstract

The management of spine tumors is multimodal and personalized to each individual patient. Patients often require radiation therapy after surgical fixation. While titanium implants are used most commonly, they produce significant artifact, leading to decreased confidence in target-volume coverage and normal tissue sparing. Carbon-based materials have been found to have minimal effects on dose-perturbation in postoperative radiation therapy while demonstrating biostability and biocompatibility that is comparable to titanium implants. We conducted a systematic review on carbon-based screw and rod fixation systems in the treatment of spinal tumors utilizing Pubmed and Web of Sciences databases. We reviewed clinical studies with regards to safety of spine fixation with carbon fiber reinforced (CFR) implants, biomechanical studies, as well as radiation and dosimetric studies. The radiolucency of CFR-PEEK implants has potential to benefit spine tumor patients. Clinical studies have demonstrated no increase in complications with implementation of CFR-PEEK implants, and these devices appear to have sufficient stiffness and pullout strength. However, further trials will be necessary in order to determine if there is a clinically significant impact on local tumor control.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.05.100

View details for PubMedID 34062294