Percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures in the patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an interventional treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis and malignant diseases such as multiple myeloma and metastatic bone tumors. We present the first case of PVP performed on a man in his thirties with vertebral compression fractures secondary to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. PVP at T11 and L1 levels resulted in a marked improvement in refractory pain although he developed delayed pyogenic spondylitis two months after the intervention. This case suggests that PVP could be one of the useful therapeutic procedures for intractable back pain associated with vertebral compression fractures in acute lymphoblastic leukemia if we are extremely vigilant for the risk of spondylitis.