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Medical implant devices have evolved in the past decade and now many surgical specialties have turned to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) devices for its ideal properties. In Neurosurgery, PEEK has its role in many operations such as cervical cages after anterior cervical discectomy and as a prosthetic implant for cranioplasty where autologous cranioplasty is not possible. We discuss our case of a poorly differentiated destructive tumour that was surgically removed and the skull deformity replaced with a PEEK implant, assisted by state of the art neuro-navigational technology.

Introduction: In recent years balloon kyphoplasty has become increasingly implemented in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures and has been shown to be safe and efficacious at long term follow up particularly for patients with metastatic disease to the spine. At Waikato hospital, New Zealand, we looked at our outcomes compared with current literature. Methods: All patients who underwent balloon kyphoplastybetween 2008-2012 were included in the study and outcomes measured were pain scores and functional disability using the Oswestry disability index. Results: 12 patients were included in the study and average pain scores both at rest and on activity improved post-operatively. Functional disability significantly improved at short and long term follow-up. Conclusion: Balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure and our results so far concur with current literature.