Percutaneous vertebroplasty for pain relief and spinal stabilization

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of 47 consecutive patients (1995-1998) in whom percutaneous intraosseous methylmethacrylate cement injection (percutaneous vertebroplasty) was used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and spinal column neoplasms. OBJECTIVES: To present initial results regarding pain relief, spinal stabilization, and complications after treatment with percutaneous vertebroplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Percutaneous vertebroplasty was developed in France in the late 1980s. Several European reports have described excellent results for treatment of compression fractures and neoplasms. The procedure was not performed in the United States until 1994. Only a single series of 29 patients treated in the United States has been reported. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 47 consecutive patients with 84 vertebrae treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. Thirty-eight patients with 70 vertebrae had symptomatic, osteoporotic fractures and had failed medical therapy. Eight patients with 13 vertebrae had primary or metastatic neoplasms. One patient had a hemangioma. Immediate and long-term pain response, spinal stability, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 38 patients treated for osteoporotic fractures, 24 (63%) had marked to complete pain relief, 12 (32%) moderate relief and 2 (5%) no significant change. Only 4 of the 8 patients with malignancies had significant pain relief. In 7 of these patients, no further vertebral compression occurred, and spinal canal compromise was prevented. The patient with the hemangioma had no significant pain reduction. Minor complications occurred in 3 (6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty provided significant pain relief in a high percentage of patients with osteoporotic fractures. The procedure provided spinal stabilization in patients with malignancies but did not produce consistent pain relief. Complications were minor and infrequent. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a promising therapy for patients with osteoporotic fractures and for selected vertebral column neoplasms.     

经皮椎体成形术在骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折治疗中的应用

目的 评估经皮椎体成形术在治疗骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折中的疗效。方法 对19例22个骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折患行经皮椎体成形术。结果 所有患经3～12个月的随访，疗效满意，其中优4例(21％)，良12例(63％)，可3例(19％)。术后5例患需阶段性口服药物缓解疼痛，2例骨水泥外溢，但未造成不良后果。结论 经皮椎体成形术是一种微创治疗方法，用于治疗骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折有明显疗效，可在短时间内解除患痛苦，恢复正常活动。     

四步法单侧入路椎体成形术在胸椎骨质疏松性骨折中的应用

目的探讨四步法单侧入路的经皮椎体成形术(PVP)在胸椎骨质疏松性骨折中的应用。方法运用四步法,对胸椎骨质疏松性骨折椎体进行单侧入路的经皮椎体成形术,计录手术时间,观察骨水泥弥散分布情况,在术前、术后3 d、术后12个月随访时进行疼痛视觉类比评分(VAS)。结果18例21个椎体操作均成功,手术时间10~25 min,平均(16±2.2)min,骨水泥在椎体内弥散分布均越过椎体中线,VAS评分由术前(8.5±1.2)分降低至(2.5±1.4)分,术后效果良好。结论四步法单侧入路椎体成形术治疗胸椎骨质疏松性骨折简单快速、安全有效。     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture adjacent to lumbar instrumented circumferential fusion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty for patients with symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures adjacent to lumbar instrumented circumferential fusion. Between January 2005 and June 2010, eighteen patients in the authors' institution with lumbar instrumented circumferential fusion had adjacent symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The patients received percutaneous vertebroplasty using polymethylmethacrylate bone cement augmentation. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were used. The visual analog pain scale and modified Brodsky's criteria were used to compare clinical outcomes pre- and postoperatively. Minimum follow-up was 18 months. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan confirmed osteoporosis in all patients. The average interval between fusion surgery and sustaining osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures was 24.8 months. The average interval between sustaining osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty was 49.3 days. One-level percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed in 13 patients, and 2 levels were performed in 5 patients. The patients' visual analog pain scale scores improved by an average of 53 points postoperatively. Fifteen patients returned to preinjury activities of daily living. The average restoration of the fractured vertebral body height was 12.1%. No major surgery-related complications, occurred except asymptomatic cement leakage in 3 patients. Elderly patients undergoing lumbar instrumented fusion surgery should be aware of the possibility of adjacent vertebral compression fractures. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive and effective procedure to treat such adjacent segment disease.     

Treatment of pain from osteoporotic vertebral collapse by percutaneous PMMA vertebroplasty

Summary Background. Vertebral compression fractures are common complications in advanced osteoporosis. In general, this disease of the elderly patient is characterized by severe local back pain. Pathophysiologically, bony instability triggers local pain during body movement. Serious pain immobilizes the patients and forces them to bed rest. As a result, complications like thrombosis or pneumonia occur. Invasive treatment with surgical instrumentation for vertebral stabilization is not indicated in elderly patients especially with additional diseases.The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty significantly reduces pain due to vertebral collapse in osteoporotic patients and improves quality of life.Methods. A total of 38 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated by PMMA vertebroplasty. After admission, before discharge from the hospital, six weeks, half a year and one year later patients answered the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability (OLBPD) Questionnaire for assessment of treatment related change in disability. In all patients percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed under local anesthesia.Findings. A total of 92% of patients reported a significant pain reduction immediately after treatment. Also one year after vertebroplasty pain remained significantly reduced. Vertebroplasty was highly beneficial for patients with pain related to local instability of the spine. Extravasation of PMMA beyond the vertebral margins was observed in 26% of the cases. No treatment related clinical or neurological complications were noticed.Interpretation. PMMA vertebroplasty is a useful and safe method of pain relief which rapidly regains quality of life for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression.     

An ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of an inflatable bone tamp used in the treatment of compression fracture

STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo biomechanical study using osteoporotic cadaveric vertebral bodies. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the inflatable bone tamp (tamp) restores height to compressed vertebral bodies and to compare the biomechanical properties of isolated, fractured osteoporotic vertebral bodies treated by kyphoplasty (tamp) or vertebroplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous biomechanical studies have shown that vertebroplasty increases vertebral body strength and restores vertebral body stiffness, but does not restore vertebral body height lost as a result of compression fracture. METHODS: Compression fractures were experimentally created in 16 osteoporotic VBs assigned to either the tamp or percutaneous vertebroplasty group. The tamp treatment consisted of inserting balloon-like devices into the vertebral body, inflating the bone tamp, and filling the void with Simplex P (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ) bone cement. The percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment consisted of directly injecting Cranioplastic bone cement (CMW, Blackpool, UK) into the vertebral body. Pre- and posttreatment heights were measured, and the repaired vertebral bodies were recompressed to determine posttreatment strength and stiffness values. RESULTS: The tamp treatment resulted in significant restoration (97%) of vertebral body height lost after compression, whereas percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment resulted in a significantly lower restoration of lost height (30%) (P < 0.05). Both treatments resulted in significantly stronger vertebral bodies relative to their initial state (P < 0.05). The tamp treatment restored vertebral body stiffness to initial values, but the percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment did not (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tamp treatment resulted in significantly greater height restoration than did percutaneous vertebroplasty, without loss of vertebral body strength or stiffness.     

Modified unilateral transpedicular percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Objective: To comparatively assess the clinical outcome of modified unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods: The clinical outcome and incidence of cement extrusion in a consecutive group of 70 patients at our institution between December 2005 and December 2008 was retrospectively reviewed. Thirty‐five patients were randomly distributed to modified percutaneous vertebroplasty (Group A) and 35 to traditional percutaneous vertebroplasty (Group B). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used on the first post‐operative day and 1 year later to assess the severity of pain before and after vertebroplasty. The incidence of cement extrusion on CT scan was also compared between the two groups. Results: The treatment was successful in all seventy patients. The incidence of cement extrusion was 14.29% (5/35 patients) in group A, and 37.12% (13/35 patients) in group B, this difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). No patients had serious complications. Complete pain relief was achieved in 50 patients, and significant relief in the other 20 (20/70 patients). There was no statistically significant difference between Groups A and B. Conclusion: Modified percutaneous vertebroplasty enhances the accuracy of cement injection into the center of the vertebral body, increasing the safety of the procedure with no increase in cost. It is a safer and more easily performed technique for treating patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures than traditional percutaneous vertebroplasty.     

Current concepts and techniques in percutaneous vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of many different types of painful vertebral lesions, including osteoporotic compression fractures,hemangiomas, or malignancy-induced pathologic vertebral fractures. Medical therapy often is limited to pain control and immobilization. Because surgery is contraindicated frequently in patients who have osteoporotic compression fractures, and because patients who have widespread metastatic disease often are not surgical candidates, vertebroplasty may be the only practical option. In experienced hands and with appropriately selected patients, percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe, inexpensive, and highly efficacious procedure; however, because of the potential for devastating complications, all efforts must be made to optimize patient safety.     

经皮椎体成型术在骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折中的临床应用分析

目的探讨经皮椎体成型术在骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折中的临床疗效。方法对笔者所在医院就诊的18例患者采用经皮椎体成型术治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折,手术在C臂机监测下,经皮向椎体内穿刺并注入骨水泥,并对患者术后椎体疼痛症状及椎体前缘高度进行分析。结果术后全部患者获得随访,随访时间1～18个月,平均11个月,患者腰背部疼痛明显好转,椎体前缘高度无明显继发丢失,椎体后凸角度无明显增大。结论经皮椎体成型术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折安全有效,疗效满意。     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty as a treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review

Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been performed for more than ten years to treat painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Clinical results have been encouraging, but little is known about the efficacy and safety of this minimally invasive procedure. We therefore performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. A search was conducted using Medline, Embase and The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The search yielded fifteen studies, eleven prospective, three retrospective and one controlled trial. Totally 1,136 interventions were performed on 793 patients. Mean pain scores, measured using a 0 to 10 VAS score, improved significantly from 7.8 to 3.1 (−60.3%) immediately after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The short-term complication rate varied between 0.4 and 75.6%. Leakage of cement outside the vertebral body was markedly common, ranging from 3.3 to 75.6%. Although the majority was asymptomatic, a few devastating clinical adverse effects were reported (mean 2.4%). Although percutaneous vertebroplasty is a widely accepted treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, we revealed only a single controlled trial. We conclude that there are insufficient data available to reliably assess efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty. The procedure has a low rate of clinical complications, but potential complications can be devastating. In the future, assessing the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty requires controlled trials with long-term follow-up.     

Initial outcome and efficacy of "kyphoplasty" in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: An Institutional Review Board-approved Phase I efficacy study of inflatable bone tamp usage in the treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic compression fractures. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of inflatable bone tamp reduction and cement augmentation, "kyphoplasty," in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Osteoporotic compression fractures can result in progressive kyphosis and chronic pain. Traditional treatment for these patients includes bed rest, analgesics, and bracing. Augmentation of vertebral compression fractures with polymethylmethacrylate, "vertebroplasty," has been used to treat pain. This technique, however, makes no attempt to restore the height of the collapsed vertebral body. Kyphoplasty is a new technique that involves the introduction of inflatable bone tamps into the vertebral body. Once inflated, the bone tamps restore the vertebral body back toward its original height while creating a cavity that can be filled with bone cement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy consecutive kyphoplasty procedures were performed in 30 patients. The indications included painful primary or secondary osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Mean duration of symptoms was 5.9 months. Symptomatic levels were identified by correlating the clinical data with MRI findings. Perioperative variables and bone tamp complications or issues were recorded and analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were compared to calculate the percentage height restored. Outcome data were obtained by comparing preoperative and latest postoperative SF-36 data. RESULTS: At the completion of the Phase I study there were no major complications related directly to use of this technique or use of the inflatable bone tamp. In 70% of the vertebral bodies kyphoplasty restored 47% of the lost height. Cement leakage occurred at six levels (8.6%).SF-36 scores for Bodily Pain 11.6-58.7, (P = 0.0001) and Physical Function 11.7-47.4, (P = 0.002) were among those that showed significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The inflatable bone tamp was efficacious in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Kyphoplasty is associated with early clinical improvement of pain and function as well as restoration of vertebral body height in the treatment of painful osteoporotic compression fractures.     

垫枕法联合经皮椎体成形术治疗老年骨质疏松胸腰椎压缩性骨折

目的：观察垫枕法联合经皮椎体成形术治疗老年骨质疏松胸腰椎压缩性骨折的效果。方法：选择老年骨质疏松胸腰椎压缩性骨折患者 40 例，予垫枕法联合经皮椎体成形术治疗，并观察患者术前及术后 1 个月在疼痛缓解、伤椎前缘高度、后凸畸形改善的情况。 结果：40 例患者术前疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale，VAS）（6.76±1.16）、伤椎前缘高度（16.38±2.26）mm 及 Cobb 角（22.17±3.46）?，术后 1 个月 VAS 评分（2.34±0.73）、伤体前缘高度（28.45±6.46）mm及 Cobb 角（8.43±4.34）?，术后 1 个月患者在疼痛缓解、伤椎前缘高度、后凸畸形改善等方面较术前有明显区别（P<0.05）。结论：老年骨质疏松胸腰椎压缩性骨折经垫枕法联合经皮椎体成形术治疗，可明显减轻患者疼痛，改善后凸畸形。     

Minimally invasive treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Seven hundred thousand osteoporotic compression fractures occur yearly. Approximately 260,000 lead to severe pain, and 150,000 require hospital admissions. Associated with the fractures are increased loss of pulmonary function (90% decreased forced vital capacity per fracture level) and an increase in gastrointestinal complications (early satiety, and therefore malnutrition) and increased mortality (greater than that associated with osteoporotic hip fractures). New treatments available for these painful disorders include kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. The injections of polymethylmethacrylate into the vertebrae (vertebroplasty technique) decrease pain and improve function. Kyphoplasty (percutaneous placement of a balloon tamp to improve height and create a void, and then the filling of this void with cement) improves function, decreases pain and helps realign the spine. PURPOSE: To compare kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, and assess their various merits, treatment indications, and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Literature review with presentation of early results of a national, clinical study. METHODS: Literature review for overview. Retrospective chart/patient review for clinical data presented on kyphoplasty. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of individuals treated for painful osteoporotic compression fractures have significant improvement in symptoms and function after kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty. Kyphoplasty improves vertebral body height and kyphotic alignment by 50%, if performed within 3 months of the onset of the fracture collapse. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty both have roles in the treatment of painful osteoporotic compression fractures. Only kyphoplasty helps improve height and kyphosis, which should help prevent pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications.     

经皮椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折

[目的]观察经皮椎体成形术（PVP）治疗疼痛性高龄骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折的临床疗效。[方法]在C臂X线透视监控下，以骨水泥（PMMA）为充填材料，经单侧或双侧椎弓根穿刺行PVP治疗6例、脊柱后凸成行术治疗2例。[结果]术中无骨水泥渗漏，术后患者疼痛明显缓解或消失，无1例出现严重并发症。[结论]PVP治疗疼痛性高龄骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折是安全、有效、经济的。     

A case of posterior element fracture in Kummell's disease

Kummell's disease is a rare, delayed posttraumatic collapse of a vertebral body that can occur several months or even years after an osteoporotic compression fracture. However, there are few reports of posterior element fractures associated with Kummell's disease. A 72-year-old man who had sustained an L1 osteoporotic compression fracture 14 months prior was admitted to our institution with incapacitating back pain. Plain radiographs showed progressive collapse of the L1 vertebral body and severe kyphosis at the thoracolumbar junction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior element fracture as well as osteonecrosis of the L1 vertebral body. An L1 percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed, followed by bone cement-augmented screw fixation to maintain stability and correct the kyphotic deformity. After surgery, pain relief was immediate, and the patient was able to walk unassisted. This case illustrates that continuous axial distraction stress caused by aggravated kyphosis secondary to Kummell's disease may result in posterior element fractures. Our discussion concludes with a literature review.     

经皮穿刺椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松椎体压缩骨折

目的 研究经皮穿刺椎体成形术在治疗疼痛性骨质疏松脊柱压缩骨折中的效用。方法 2年内15例有1－6个月背部、腰部疼痛伴行动障碍需止痛药治疗患（男5人、女10人），年龄58－81岁，经临床、CT及MRI评价为骨质疏松椎体压缩且近期有进展，在CT引导下完成经皮穿刺椎体成形术22例次。治疗效果采用Huskisson止痛视觉评分法评估。结果 13例患（86．7％）在24h内疼痛缓解，12例停用止痛药，余下的2例有轻微疼痛好转（13．3％）。1例患3个月后由于相邻椎体出现新的压缩而疼痛复发，二次治疗好转。结论 经皮穿刺椎体成形术用于骨质疏松椎体压缩是一种微创操作，可以立即缓解疼痛并使患很快恢复运动，是一种有价值的治疗骨质疏松压缩骨折的方法。     

Vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: results and functional outcome in a series of 175 consecutive patients.

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral collapse, which significantly impairs mobility and quality of life. Primary management consists of conservative therapeutic measures such as analgesics, bed rest, external bracing and rehabilitation. Percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic compressive fractures has gained popularity during the last decade. The limited invasiveness and encouraging results of vertebroplasty obtained in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoporotic compression fractures have favored an extensive use of the procedure for the management of patients with disabling pain refractory to conservative therapy. In the present paper, the authors provide procedure results and functional outcomes in a series of 175 consecutive patients with 242 symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by means of percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty.     

经皮椎体成形术自固化磷酸钙人工骨充填治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折

目的探讨应用经皮椎体成形术(PVP)自固化磷酸钙人工骨(CPC)充填治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折的临床疗效。方法自2004年1月起,对26例29个椎体骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折患者,采用术中手法复位、PVP自固化CPC充填治疗。结果26例患者经单侧或双侧椎弓根穿刺椎体成形术成功治愈。胸腰椎自固化CPC平均充填量为4.6mL。术中CPC渗漏者5例5个椎体。无一例出现严重并发症。经3～8个月(平均4.6个月)随访,术后所有患者疼痛消失。除3例椎体高度丢失15%外,其余椎体高度平均恢复达正常的80%。结论PVP自固化CPC充填治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折是一种安全、简单、有效的方法。     

Die Wertigkeit der Ballonkyphoplastie bei der osteoporotischen Wirbelkörperfraktur

BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures frequently complain of pain and a loss of function and mobility. Such fractures are associated with an increased mortality. The common treatment with bed rest, bracing or osteosynthesis does not lead to satisfying results. With two new surgical techniques, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, an internal stabilisation of osteoporotic vertebral fractures is possible. METHODS: All patients were treated by kyphoplasty. With a minimal invasive dorsal approach, an inflatable bone tamp is placed in the fractured vertebral body. This tamp can restore the vertebral body height and create a cavity, which is filled with bone cement under low pressure. The advantage of kyphoplasty compared to vertebroplasty is the restoration of the vertebral height and a decreased cement leakage rate. We performed a prospective, interdisciplinary study with a follow-up of 12 months. We treated 192 vertebral fractures in 102 patients. Augmentation was performed with polymethylmethacrylate in 138 cases and with a new injectable calcium phosphate-cement in 54 vertebral bodies. Outcome data were obtained with two different spine-scores and by the radiomorphometric evaluation of x-rays before and after treatment. RESULTS: We noticed a significant improvement in pain and function in 89% of the patients. All patients showed a regain of vertebral height of on average 17%. In 7% of all treated vertebral bodies, we noticed cement leakage, which was, however, far below the rates published for vertebroplasty (20-70%). There were two complications, bleeding due to an unknown coagulopathy and a violation of the myelon by malpunction. CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty is a reliable and minimally invasive method for stabilizing fractured osteoporotic vertebral bodies. Improvement of pain and function and a regain in height of the treated vertebral body can be accomplished.