CT-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty in the therapy of vertebral compression fractures

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. The primary objectives were pain reduction and bone-cement leakage during a long-term follow-up in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. CT-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty was carried out in 61 patients (mean age 71.4 years; range 42–83; female ratio: 73.8%) with vertebral compression fractures. Treatment was carried out on an outpatient basis. Pain, bone-cement leakage and complications were monitored and recorded. The mean follow-up time was 19.8 months (range 3–52). Paired comparison procedures were used for the analysis of the results, which showed that all patients had a significant reduction of pain. The mean visual-analogue scale (VAS) before treatment was 8.8 points (range 6.5–9.8 points). The mean VAS score after treatment was significantly reduced to 2.6 points (range 1.5–4.1 points; p<0.01). No clinical or neurological complications were documented. Minor and asymptomatic bone-cement leakage was observed in 54% of the cases. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an efficient and safe interventional procedure which rapidly improves the mobility and quality of life of patients with vertebral compression fractures. CT-guidance is a reasonable upgrade in the treatment procedure which reduces the amount of bone-cement leakage.T.J. Vogl and D. Proschek contributed equally to this work.