Page 9 - ARNM-2-2

Advances in Radiotherapy &

Nuclear Medicine

REVIEW ARTICLE
Emerging role of carbon fiber-reinforced

polyetheretherketone instrumentation in spinal
oncology: A systematic review

Jacob Ward * , Seth Wilson 1 , Ryan G. Eaton 2 , Vicente Coelho 2 ,
1
David S. Xu 2 , and Vikram B. Chakravarthy 2
1 The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
2 Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus,
Ohio, United States of America

Abstract

Spinal metastases are increasing in incidence with affected patients experiencing
significant pain and disability. Continuous research and innovation in the field of
spinal oncology have given rise to an increase in personalized treatment based on
tumor characteristics and various patient-specific factors. Carbon fiber-reinforced
polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) instrumentation has gained popularity as an
alternative to titanium-based implants primarily due to their ability to minimize
imaging artifact. A literature search was performed to find articles that examined the
use of CFR-PEEK screws in spinal fusion procedures in oncologic patients. Data from
each study were compiled to compare complication rates, durability, and effects on
*Corresponding author: postoperative imaging in patients treated with CFR-PEEK instrumentation to those
Jacob Ward treated with traditional titanium implants. Overall, CFR-PEEK-based products were
(Jacob.ward@osumc.edu) similar to titanium hardware in terms of durability and complication rates while
Citation: Ward J, Wilson S, Eaton CFR-PEEK allows for improved postoperative tumor surveillance and radiosurgical
RG, Coelho V, Xu DS, Chakravarthy planning.
VB. Emerging role of carbon fiber-
reinforced polyetheretherketone
instrumentation in spinal oncology:
A systematic review. Adv Radiother Keywords: Spine oncology; CFR-PEEK; Spine metastases; Stereotactic body radiotherapy;
Nucl Med. 2024;2(2):3130. Radiosurgery; Local control; Magnetic resonance imaging
doi: 10.36922/arnm.3130
Received: March 11, 2024
Accepted: May 13, 2024 1. Introduction
Published Online: May 30, 2024
Spine metastases are a major burden of oncologic care, leading to significant pain,
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). neurologic dysfunction, and morbidity. While the overall incidence of clinically
1
This is an Open-Access article diagnosed spinal metastases in patients with primary solid tumor is 15.67%, autopsy
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution studies suggest that spinal metastases are present in approximately 30% of patients at
License, permitting distribution, the time of death. Recent studies have noted an increased incidence, potentially due to
2
and reproduction in any medium, improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment, which leads to greater patient survival
provided the original work is
properly cited. and increased detection of subsequent metastases. 3
Publisher’s Note: AccScience As the field of spine oncology continues to evolve, the management of metastatic
Publishing remains neutral with and primary tumors of the spine has become more individualized. Patients are managed
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional with a personalized approach wherein decisions regarding chemotherapy, surgery,
affiliations. and/or radiation are based on neurologic presentation, tumor histology, radiosensitivity,

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/arnm.3130