Occurrence of new vertebral body fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporosis

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and findings of vertebral body compression fractures adjacent to those previously treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The findings in 177 patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty for more than 2 years were reviewed retrospectively. The following parameters were reviewed: primary diagnosis, patient age and sex, date of treatment with vertebroplasty, vertebral level(s) treated, pedicular approach, and amount of polymethylmethacrylate injected per vertebral body. Patients with acute compression fractures secondary to osteoporosis were selected. RESULTS: Of 177 patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty, 22 (12.4%) developed a total of 36 new vertebral body fractures following treatment. Of the 36 newly documented fractures, 24 (67%) involved vertebrae adjacent to the previously treated vertebral level(s), whereas 12 (33%) involved the collapse of nonadjacent vertebrae. In addition, 24 (67%) of the 36 new vertebral fractures occurred within 30 days after treatment of the initial fracture(s). CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients with osteoporosis develop new fractures after undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty; two-thirds of these new fractures occur in vertebrae adjacent to those previously treated.