PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of 125I seed brachytherapy under DynaCT guidance for palliative local treatment of bone metastases.

METHODS

From December 2014 to September 2017, 82 patients with painful bone metastases, who experienced treatment failure using standard strategies or rejected treatment were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent 125I seed brachytherapy under DynaCT guidance. Technical success, visual analogue scale (VAS), numerical rating scale (NRS), verbal rating scale (VRS), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

The success rate of 125I seed implantation was 100%. The VAS and NRS scores for the most severe pain were 7.0 (5.0–9.0) and 8.0 (6.0–9.0) before brachytherapy. The pain scores assessed every 2 hours gradually decreased within 12 hours (p < 0.001). A comparison of KPS scores showed that patients had significantly better quality of life on weeks 1, 4, and 8 than on week 0 (p < 0.001). The associated complications were mild subcutaneous hemorrhage 25.6% (21/82), fever 7.3% (6/82), minor displacement of radioactive seeds 5.0% (4/82), pathologic fracture 2.4% (2/82), and local skin reaction 2.4% (2/82). After symptomatic treatment, all complications were relieved. Minor displacement of radioactive seeds did not cause damage to adjacent tissues. No serious life-threatening complications occurred in the study group.

CONCLUSION

DynaCT-guided 125I seed implantation is a safe and effective method for palliation of painful bone metastases from cancer after failure or rejection of conventional treatments.