Vertebral Body Height Restoration after Vertebroplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

Hong, Chang Hwa

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effective of vertebroplasty in restoring the vertebral height and in changing the kyphotic angle in osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2007, 111 patients, 125 vertebral bodies who were diagnosed as osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and to whom the vertebroplasty was performed. We analysed the height loss using the ratio of posterior aspect of body to anterior and central area. We calculated the change of kyphotic angle by the lower end plate of the upper body and upper end plate of the lower body.
RESULTS
An increase in vertebral height was seen in 89 (71%) vertebral bodies, while the preoperative decrease in vertebral height was seen in 25 (10~82)% on the anterior portion, 39 (15~71)% on the middle portion. The kyphotic angle was 13 (5~30) degrees in average. After vertebroplasty, the decrease in vertebral height was 23 (0~55)% on the anterior portion, 34 (10~56)% on the middle portion in average. As a result, increases of 2% and 4% of vertebral height were seen on the anterior and the middle portion respectively. A change in kyphotic angle after vertebroplasty was 10.4 (1.5~22) degrees in average, an increase of about 2.6 degrees.
CONCLUSIONS
An increase in vertebral height was observed after percutaneous vertebroplasty but not in all of the cases. Percutaneous vertebroplasty not only reduces pain after vertebral fractures but also it is thought to have an influence on the sagittal plane of the total vertebrae and this has to be evaluated in further studies.