The photoinitiated polymerization of a semifluorinated
difunctional monomer, which can
exist in both a smectic liquid crystalline phase and an isotropic
phase, has been investigated as a function
of temperature. Although the maximum rate attained for
photoinitiated polymerization in the smectic
phase is lower than for polymerization in the isotropic phase, the
polymer chain kinetic lifetime is markedly
longer in the smectic phase, presumably due to a relatively large
decrease in termination rate compared
to propagation. The results also suggest that both termination and
propagation rate processes are diffusion
controlled. By conducting polymerization at a temperature
corresponding to the smectic phase of the
monomer, it is possible to “lock-in” the order of the smectic phase
in the cross-linked network generated.
Background: Metastatic bone pain is very difficult to treat and challenging to manage for health care professionals. Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty has been used to reinstate the height of a compressed fractured vertebral body. OsteoCoolTM radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new ablation technique and at present, current literature only supports its role for thoracic and lumbar vertebral metastases. Case Report: In the present case report, we utilized OsteoCoolTM RFA using anterolateral cervical kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis with intractable pain and limited range of motion. Discussion: A successful palliative treatment was provided with a combination of kyphoplasty and OsteoCoolTM RFA. The patient has had great relief of pain and an increased range of motion of the cervical spine post procedure. Conclusion: Anterolateral balloon kyphoplasty provides stability to fractured vertebrae and when combined with OsteoCoolTM RFA, it potentially can provide effective pain relief in patients who have failed radiation and for whom surgery is contraindicated. Key words: Cervical kyphoplasty, cervical vertebral metastasis, kyphoplasty, OsteoCoolTM
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