Minimally invasive vertebroplasty in the treatment of pain induced by spinal metastatic tumor

Spinal metastatic tumor is a common problem and represents a challenging problem in oncology practice. Patients with osteolytic metastases often suffer from intractable local and/or radicular pain. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, radiologically guided procedure whereby bone cement is injected into structurally weakened vertebrae to provide immediate biomechanical stability. Vertebroplasty is also used to relieve pain by stabilizing metastatically compromised vertebrae that are at risk of pathological burst fracture. In this retrospective study, a total of 57 patients (78 vertebrae) with spinal metastatic tumor were treated with PMMA vertebroplasty. The mean value of the visual analogue scale (VAS) was 8.1 +/- 0.67 preoperatively, and significantly decreased to 3.8 +/- 1.9 (1-8, p < 0.015) one day after vertebroplasty. The mean VAS value 6 months after vertebroplsty was 2.8 +/- 2.0 (p < 0.001). Mean injected bone cement amount in our study is 5.16 +/- 1.6 mL. The complication rate is about 21.8%, bone cement extravasation without neurological deficit is the most common complication. No new or adjacent vertebral fracture has occurred in more than 2 years follow-up. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a remarkable advantage of effective and immediate pain relief with few complications.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of thoracolumbar spine bursting fracture

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty can be very beneficial for patients with vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures. To the best of our knowledge, however, there has been no mention in any literature regarding the use of percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of spinal burst fracture. METHODS: A preliminary study was conducted on 6 patients with traumatic burst fractures of vertebrae treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty starting in June 2000. Fractures involving the anterior and middle columns of the vertebrae and the canal were mildly compressed by the retropulsed bone fragment. However, there was no obvious neurologic deficit in these patients. They initially underwent conservative treatment and thoracolumbar spinal orthosis (TLSO) brace for at least 3 months, but the intractable pain caused patients to be bedridden for prolonged periods of time and limited daily activity. As a result, the patients underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for treatment of spinal burst fractures. RESULTS: Six male patients (mean age: 38.2) who suffered from burst fractures of vertebrae with disabling back pain refractory to analgesic therapy and TLSO brace were treated in this study. The duration of conservation treatment period was 3.5 months to 8 months (mean: 5.2 months). There was no motility. However, 4 vertebrae (66.7%), on radiographs revealed evidence of PMMA leakage through the endplate fracture site into either the disc space or the paravertebral space, without any evident clinical symptoms. No intracanal leakage was seen, and no patient needed a secondary surgical intervention. Pain decreased from 84.3 +/- 5.4 mm at baseline to 34.7 +/- 4.4 mm at the third postoperative day, 30.2 +/- 5.8 at 3 months and 24 +/- 3.5 mm at 12 months. The reduction in pain from baseline to the 3-day and 3 month mark was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mobility was at least 2 levels of improvement (mean improvement 2.7 points) at 12-months postoperative. CONCLUSION: In highly selective patients, percutaneous vertebroplasty can be an alternative method for the treatment of spinal burst fractures and the prevention of complications from major surgical procedures. However, this procedure still has potential risks and should be employed with extreme caution to prevent extravasation of PMMA into the spinal canal.     

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.     

Pulmonary polymethylmetacrylate embolism: a rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical technique involving transpedicular injection of polymethylmetacrylate into the vertebral body. The aim of this procedure is to enhance the mechanical strength of a pathologically changed vertebra. Currently, the method is most often used for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures, aggressive haemangiomas, necrotic lesions and spinal tumours, particularly the metastatic ones. Although this method is less invasive, relatively straight-forward and effective, there may be complications. The authors present the case of a 70-year-old woman who, on the second day after surgery, developed a rare symptomatic pulmonary polymethylmetacrylate embolism after per- cutaneous vertebroplasty performed for osteoporotic fractures of the lumbar spine.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic burst fractures

Background  Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which involves injecting polymethylmethacrylate into the compressed vertebral body. At present the indications include the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures, vertebral myeloma, and metastases. The value of vertebroplasty in osteoporotic compression fracture has been discussed comprehensively. The surgical operation for burst fractures without neurological deficit remains controversial. Some authors have asserted that vertebroplasty is contraindicated in patients with burst fracture. However, we performed the procedure, after considering the patents general condition, to reduce surgical risks and the duration of immobilisation. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical outcomes, kyphosis correction, wedge angle, and height restoration of thoraco-lumbar osteoporotic burst fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty. Materials and methods  Twenty-five patients with osteoporotic burst fracture were treated with postural reduction followed by vertebroplasty. We measured the kyphosis, wedge angle, spinal canal compromise and the height of the fractured vertebral body initially, after postural reduction, and after vertebroplasty. Findings  The average height of the collapsed vertebral bodies was 24.8% of the original height. Average kyphosis angle was 19.4° and average wedge angle was 19.8° at first. Mean canal encroachment was initially 25.1%. Kyphosis angle, wedge angle, and anterior, middle, and posterior height improved significantly after the procedure. The mean amelioration of the spinal canal encroachment after vertebroplasty was 23.3%. The average increase in anterior vertebral body height was 7.5 mm, central was 5.8 mm, and posterior was 0.9 mm. The mean reduction in kyphosis angle was 6.8° and the mean reduction in wedge angle was 9.7°. Conclusion  Although vertebroplasty has been considered as contraindicated in thoraco-lumbar burst fractures, we successfully used the procedure as a safe treatment in patients with osteoporotic burst fracture without neurologic deficit. This method could eliminate the need for and risks of major spinal surgery. We would like to offer it as a relatively safe and effective methods of management in thoraco-lumbar burst fractures.     

陈旧性与新鲜性压缩骨折行椎体成形术的临床对比研究

目的回顾性对比研究陈旧性与新鲜性椎体压缩性骨折行经经皮椎体成形术（percutaneouss vertebra plasty,PVP）后的临床效果。方法对24例老年骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折患者行PVP治疗,将研究对象按陈旧性骨折和新鲜性骨折分为2组,分别拍摄2组术前、术后标准正侧位X线片,从而对骨折椎体高度的恢复、后凸畸形的矫正及疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分进行研究对比。结果所有患者术后平均随访6个月,无严重并发症发生。2组患者术后疼痛缓解且恢复良好,均恢复日常活动能力。但陈旧性压缩性骨折患者术后椎体高度恢复和后凸畸形的矫正程度均不如新鲜性骨折患者。结论 PVP术操作简单、创伤小,对于骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折的治疗效果明显,尤其对新鲜骨折效果显著,且对于缓解陈旧性骨折疼痛症状也有良好效果。     

不同充填材料强化椎体在骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折中的应用

目的分别以聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯骨水泥(PMMA)和注射型自固化磷酸钙人工骨(CPC)作为强化椎体的充填材料,采用椎体成形术和膨胀式椎体成形器(Sky)后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折,观察其临床疗效。方法对45例骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折患者采用以下4种方法治疗:椎体成形术 PMMA(15例17个椎体),椎体成形术 CPC(13例16个椎体),Sky后凸成形术 PMMA(8例8个椎体),Sky后凸成形术 CPC(9例10个椎体)。根据患者术前和术后侧位X线片计算椎体高度压缩率和恢复率、椎体后凸角度和恢复率,并采用VAS(vasual analogscale)进行术前和术后疼痛评分。结果所有患者均未出现并发症。Sky后凸成形术椎体高度恢复率和后凸角度恢复率优于椎体成形术。椎体增强材料充填剂量各组间无显著性差异。椎体成形术与Sky后凸成形术手术时无显著性差异。VAS评分术前各组无显著性差异,术后充填PMMA者优于充填CPC者,术后6周两者间无显著性差异。结论用PMMA和CPC强化椎体是一种微创、安全、有效治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的方法,应根据患者的具体情况选择治疗方法和椎体充填材料。     

Balloon kyphoplasty versus percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures: clinical and radiological outcomes

BACKGROUND CONTEXTOsteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture are the commonest fractures amongst the other osteoporotic fracture sites. These fragility fractures are the result of low energy mechanical forces that that would not ordinarily result in fracture. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty has been widely used as minimally invasive procedures to treat painful vertebral compression fractures.PURPOSEAim of the present study was to evaluate radiological, clinical and functional outcome of patients with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures treated with Balloon Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty.STUDY DESIGNProspective cohort studyPATIENT SAMPLE40 patients (Male:15, Female: 25) with average age of 56 +/- 8 years diagnosed with osteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture on clinical and radiological evaluation with no neurological deficit and no other associated fractures were included.OUTCOME MEASURESOperative time, cost for the procedure, gain in vertebral body height, reduction in pain, ability to perform daily routine activities, risk of cement leakage and any other systemic complications were evaluated and compared in both the study groups.METHODSAll the patients underwent conventional Xray, MRI (to rule out acute from chronic fracture, to check compromise of spinal canal and calculate collapse in vertebral body height), Visual analog scaling for severity of pain and difficulty in daily routine activities by Oswestry disability index preoperatively. Post operative clinal, functional, radiological outcome and complications were compared in patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty.RESULTThere was significant difference in intraoperative time period and procedure cost for the patients treated with Vertebroplasty(50.75min, 25k) in comparison to balloon kyphoplasty (71.95, 50k) with p value being < .001There was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative study parameters in both the study groups but there was no significant difference in post operative study parameters amongst both the study groups with p values >.05 for different parameters, 0.381(Gain in vertebral height), 0.108 (pain relief), 0.846(Oswestry disability index) and 0.197(risk of cement leakage)CONCLUSIONOur study suggested that percutaneous vertebroplasty requires less operative time and is more economical than balloon kyphoplasty. Increase in intraoperative time increases the risk of infection. Though the cases of Intraoperative operative cement leakage were more in percutaneous vertebroplasty but is was not significant. However the final radiological, clinical, functional outcome and overall complications were found to be similar in both the groups. Balloon kyphoplasty provided no added benefit over percutaneous vertebroplasty. A study with larger sample size will be needed to warrant one surgical procedure superior to other in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture.     

经皮椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折

目的探讨经皮椎体成形术(PVP)在治疗老年骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折中的应用及近期临床效果。方法对34例患者的37个椎体行经皮椎体成形术,术前均行X线片、CT检查,手术在C臂透视引导下经皮椎弓根入路,向椎体内注入骨水泥2.5～6.0mL,平均4.8 mL。结果术后随访3～12个月。术后所有患者疼痛完全缓解或者部分缓解。结论经皮椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩骨折,能够显著缓解疼痛,是一种有效、微创、安全的方法。     

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.     

Renal cement embolism during percutaneous vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an effective treatment for lesions of the vertebral body that involves a percutaneous injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Although PVP is considered to be minimally invasive, complications can occur during the procedure. We encountered a renal embolism of PMMA in a 57-year-old man that occurred during PVP. This rare case of PMMA leakage occurred outside of the anterior cortical fracture site of the L1 vertebral body, and multiple tubular bone cements migrated to the course of the renal vessels via the valveless collateral venous network surrounding the L1 body. Although the authors could not explain the exact cause of the renal cement embolism, we believe that physicians should be aware of the fracture pattern, anatomy of the vertebral venous system, and careful fluoroscopic monitoring to minimize the risks during the PVP.

     

Kyphoplastie und Vertebroplastie bei Frakturen im hohen Lebensalter

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two minimally invasive percutaneous techniques used for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the thoracic and lumbar spine. The injection of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) is often a final attempt at therapeutic treatment of complications due to such fractures. Vertebroplasty involves injection of cement via one or both pedicles under high pressure, thus filling and stabilizing the vertebra without reduction of fracture. Extravertebral cement leakage is a common complication: an intact posterior wall normally prevents cement leakage into the epidural space. Kyphoplasty involves transpedicular inflation of balloon tamps, thus creating a cavity which is then filled with PMMA under low pressure. Restoration of vertebral height is possible and the potential for extravertebral cement leakage lessened.     

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.     

Percutaneous vertebral body cement augmentation for back pain related to occult osteomyelitis/diskitis

Although complications related to vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty are few, we treated 2 patients with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for pain, presumed to be due to vertebral compression fractures, which were subsequently found to be due to occult osteomyelitis/diskitis. The onset of their infections appeared to have preceded their vertebral body augmentation procedures and was possibly due to prior interventional procedures for histories of back pain.An 86-year-old woman had had 3 prior kyphoplasty procedures for fractures at T10, T11, and L1. She reported continued severe pain, and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging was misinterpreted for another fracture at T12, resulting in her fourth kyphoplasty. She became septic and had some improvement with antibiotics, but she declined specialty care and died. A 74-year-old man with chronic back pain had recently undergone lumbar facet joint injections. Computed tomography and subsequent bone scan found uptake at both L2 and L3. Despite abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level and normal radiographic vertebral height, he underwent a vertebroplasty. His pain increased, and subsequent workup found L2-3 diskitis. He recovered with antibiotics and specialty care. Similar to prior reports of spondylodiskitis, both patients had multiple medical comorbidities.This article emphasizes the need for clinical reevaluation and scrutiny in the interpretation of imaging studies, including for infection in patients with continued pain after spinal procedures. The differential diagnosis of infectious etiology is an important consideration prior to vertebral cement augmentation for presumed fragility fracture.     

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。     

骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的微创治疗

骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折常导致患者疼痛、活动受限，特别是随着老龄人群的增加，其发病率逐渐升高。传统采用保守治疗或者手术治疗效果不理想。近年采用椎体成形术(PVP)或后凸成形术(PKP)微创治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折，经皮穿刺椎体内注入骨水泥或先用球囊撑开压缩的椎体后再注入骨水泥进行椎体强化，可以达到稳定骨折、恢复椎体力学强度和缓解疼痛的目的=本文就有关这种微创治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的最新进展加以综述。     

Preliminary outcomes and efficacy of the first 360 consecutive kyphoplasties for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Osteoporosis is a major cause of morbidity in worldwide elderly populations. Patients may become susceptible to vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) from low-impact situations. For patients who have failed conventional, palliative medical therapy, kyphoplasty not only reduces pain associated with vertebral fractures, but also offers a minimally invasive procedure with the potential to address fracture reduction and spinal sagittal alignment. Kyphoplasty involves expanding an inflatable balloon tamp to create a cavity within a vertebral body before cement deposition. PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of kyphoplasty to reduce and fix painful osteoporotic VCFs. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective, single-arm cohort study of consecutive kyphoplasty patients treated at a single center. PATIENT SAMPLE: Three hundred sixty VCFs were treated during 254 kyphoplasty procedures on 222 osteoporotic patients (mean age, 76 years [range, 28-98]; 28% male and 72% female). OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient-reported pain ratings were examined. Cement extravasation was monitored by intraoperative fluoroscopy and on postoperative radiographs. Anterior and midline vertebral height were assessed from standing, lateral radiographs obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. The number of patients who returned with symptomatic, new fractures was monitored. Perioperative complications were recorded. Mean follow-up occurred 21 months after kyphoplasty (range, 6 months through 36 months). RESULTS: Immediate pain relief was reported by 89% of patients by the first follow-up visit. One patient experienced postoperative pain as a result of radiculopathy related to bone filler leakage into the foramen. The remaining patients had persistent pain and were diagnosed with either a new fracture or underlying degenerative disc disease. Greater than or equal to 20% restoration of lost vertebral height (anterior) was observed in 63% of fractures with an overall mean restoration of 30%, and > or = 20% restoration of lost vertebral height (midline) was detected in 69% of fractures with an overall mean restoration of 50%. In this cohort, 12% (30/254) of the patients required additional kyphoplasty procedures to treat 36 symptomatic, new adjacent and remote fractures. No device-related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Kyphoplasty is a safe and effective, minimally invasive procedure for relief of pain associated with VCF. In our series we also demonstrated some restoration of vertebral height and partial correction of sagittal alignment.     

Short-segment pedicle instrumentation with transpedicular bone grafting for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures involving the posterior edge

Most osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) can be treated successfully with conservative methods. In about 10% of patients, nonunion develops and warrants surgical management with minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Nevertheless, for patients with nonunion fractures that involve the posterior vertebral body wall, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are relatively contraindicated due to the risk of extravertebral polymethylmethacrylate cement leakage through vertebral fracture cracks. To this end, we developed a method for pedicle screw fixation combined with transpedicular bone grafting for such a condition. Briefly, after posterior pedicle screw fixation and reduction in the affected vertebra, the demineralized bone matrix was inserted into the vertebral body via a ‘bone grafting funnel’ created through the pedicle of the affected vertebra. The current retrospective study analysed the safety and efficacy of this approach. A total of 12 patients who fulfilled the criteria were treated with this procedure. Visual analogue scale scores for back pain and anterior vertebral heights were recorded. At 3-month follow-up, pain was significantly relieved compared with presurgery and the anterior vertebral heights were successfully restored and maintained. In conclusion, short-segment pedicle instrumentation combined with transpedicular bone grafting is a useful alternative in the treatment of nonunion of OVFs with loss of posterior edge integrity.     

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation: an elevation in adjacent-level fracture risk in kyphoplasty as compared with vertebroplasty.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are being increasingly treated with minimally invasive bone augmentation techniques such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. Both are reported to be an effective means of pain relief; however, there may be an increased risk of developing subsequent VCFs after such procedures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and complication profile of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in a single patient series. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A clinical series of 36 patients with VCFs treated by vertebral augmentation procedures was retrospectively analyzed for surgical approach, volume of cement injected, cement extravasation (symptomatic and asymptomatic), the occurrence of subsequent adjacent level fracture, and pain relief. PATIENT SAMPLE: Thirty-six patients with 46 VCFs underwent either kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty after failing conservative therapy. The mean patient age was not significantly different between the kyphoplasty group (70; range, 46-83) and vertebroplasty group (72; range, 38-90) (p=.438). OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were assessed by using self-report measures (a comparative pain rating scale) and physiologic measures (pre- and postoperative radiographs). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with VCFs underwent 46 augmentation procedures (17 patients had 20 fractures treated via kyphoplasty, and 19 patients had 26 fractures treated via vertebroplasty). Seventeen patients in this series underwent kyphoplasty using standard techniques involving bone void creation with balloon tamps, followed by cement injection. Nineteen patients underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty procedure using a novel cannulated, fenestrated bone tap developed to direct cement anteriorly into the vertebral body to avoid backflow of cement onto neural elements. RESULTS: Pain improvement was seen in >90% of patients in both groups. Mean cement injection per vertebral body was 4.65 mL and 3.78 mL for the kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty groups, respectively (p=.014). Ninety-five percent of the kyphoplasty procedures were performed bilaterally, whereas only 19% of the vertebroplasty procedures required bilateral augmentation (p<.001). There was no cement extravasation resulting in radiculopathy, or myelopathy in either group. Asymptomatic cement extravasation was seen in 5 of 46 (11%) of the total series (3/20 [15%] and 2/26 [7.7%] of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, respectively) (p=.696). Within a 3-month period, there were 5 new adjacent level fractures seen in 3 patients who underwent a kyphoplasty procedure (5/20 [25%]) and none in the vertebroplasty group (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty appears to offer a comparable rate of postoperative pain relief as kyphoplasty while using less bone cement more often via a unilateral approach and without the attendant risk of adjacent level fracture.     

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.