Treatment of intravertebral pseudarthroses by balloon kyphoplasty

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents an open prospective investigation of the efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of intravertebral pseudarthrosis. Several described intravertebral radiolucent lines-the so-called vacuum phenomenon-originated from degenerative diseases. Pain arose from intravertebral dynamic mobility and local kyphosis. METHODS: We reduced and stabilized 24 intravertebral pseudarthroses with the balloon kyphoplasty. Pain and disability showed a rapid and distinct decrease. Radiologic features and life quality were compared with respect to the different shapes of fractures type A1, A3.1, and A3.3. The follow up was 2 years. RESULTS: The patients with fractures type A3.3 were older than those of type A1 and A3.1. In pseudarthrosis of type A3.1 fractures, the kyphotic wedge could be reduced to 13 degrees and the height could be increased to 85% with balloon kyphoplasty. In the A3.3 group, the wedge could be reduced to 8 degrees but the height could be increased only to 75%. No restoration of deformity was achieved in fractures type A1. A long-lasting effect on pain and disability was seen only after balloon kyphoplasty of fractures type A3.1. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of intravertebral dynamic mobility with balloon kyphoplasty is useful in fractures type A3.1. In pseudarthroses type A1, the negligible reduction and only short-lasting reduction of pain stands against the costs. In pseudarthroses type A3.3, the lack of a long-lasting benefit could be the consequence of the disadvantageous shape of the vertebral body, the higher age of patients or the primary diseases.