J Korean Fract Soc.  2004 Jan;17(1):49-54. 10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.1.49.

Vertebroplasty for the Treatment of Painful Osteoporotic Compression Fractures

• Kim YW
• Chang HG
• Lee KB
• Ji YN
• Lee YB
• Ku JM

• KMID: 2043952
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.1.49

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate results regarding pain relief, spinal stabilization, and complication after treatment with percutaneous vertebroplasty.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
108 patients (12 men, 96 women; aged 42~84 years) underwent 156 percutaneous injections of surgical cement into a vertebra (vertebroplasty) with fluoroscopic guidance in 119 procedures. All patients had severe pain,osteoporotic fractures and had failed medical therapy. Immediate and long-term pain response, spinal stability, and complications were evaluated. Assessment criteria were the changes over time (Days 3, 30, 90, 180) in visual analogue scale (VAS: 0~100 mm) and McGill-Melzack scoring system. The height of vertebral body was checked at three portions (anterior, middle, posterior) with lateral view of plain radiographs.
RESULTS
A statistically significant decrease of both VAS and McGill-Melzack scoring system was observed at Day 3. The results were also significant at Days 30, 90, and 180 both scales. We observed no adverse event, but 26 vertebral fractures had occured in the adjacent level during 12 months of follow-up. The leakage of cement was observed in 57 vertebral bodies (36.5%). But there was no neurological symptoms associated with cement leakage. The vertebral body height was increased after vertebroplasty.
CONCLUSION
Vertebroplasty is safe and effective, and have a useful role in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures that do not respond to conventional treatments. Continuous management of osteoporosis and patient education is mandantory to prevent subsequent fracture of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Keyword

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture; Percutaneous vertebroplasty; Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

MeSH Terms

Body Height
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Compression*
Humans
Male
Osteoporosis
Patient Education as Topic
Spine
Vertebroplasty*
Weights and Measures