Percutaneous Balloon Kyphoplasty in Vertebral Body Compression Fracture: A case report

Kang, Jong Man; Kim, Yong Chul; Lee, Sang Chul

Abstract

Vertebral body compression fractures can cause chronic back pain and may result in progressive kyphosis. Traditional treatment for patients with vertebral body compression fractures includes bed rest, analgesics, and bracing. Vertebroplasty has been used to alleviate pain and enhance stability of spine. This technique, however, can not restore the height of the collapsed vertebral body and carries the potential risk of serious complications, such as paralysis due to cement leakage into the epidural space. Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is a novel technique, which involves the introduction of inflatable bone tamps into the fractured vertebral body to elevate the endplates, prior to fracture fixation with bone cement. Kyphoplasty, therefore, can offer the advantages of realigning the spinal column and regaining the height of the fractured vertebra, which may be helpful to decrease the pulmonary, GI, and the early morbidity consequences related to these fractures. In addition, it reduces the risk of serious complications following kyphoplasty. We performed percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty on a 69-year-old female with L5 vertebral compression fracture 5 days after fracture. The bone tamp was inflated by raising the pressure to 200 psi. Polymethylmethacrylate bone cement application was complete at 4 ml to the left side and 3 ml to the right side of vertebral body. The focal kyphosis was corrected from 2.5degree back to neutral alignment. The height restoration was 4.2 mm at midvertebral body. The patient experienced significant pain relief after the procedure and expressed satisfaction with the treatment.