Asian Spine J.  2014 Jun;8(3):244-252. 10.4184/asj.2014.8.3.244.

Comparison of Unilateral versus Bilateral Kyphoplasty in Multiple Myeloma Patients and the Importance of Preoperative Planning

• Papanastassiou ID
• Eleraky M
• Murtagh R
• Kokkalis Z
• Gerochristou M
• Vrionis FD

• KMID: 2270342
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2014.8.3.244

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study and technical note. PURPOSE: To determine if there is a difference in clinical and radiographic parameters between unilateral and bilateral kyphoplasty in a uniform cancer population and to stress the importance of preoperative planning. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: While unipedicular kyphoplasty is gaining popularity, a few comparative studies have reported on superior kyphotic reduction with the bipedicular approach.
METHODS
We reviewed 69 myeloma patients with 105 operated levels (51 levels were done bilaterally vs. 54 unilaterally). Pain reduction, height restoration, cement volume and complications were recorded up to three months postoperatively. A technical note to identify the skin entry point on the basis of the magnetic resonance imaging and fluoroscopy (lateral view) is being described.
RESULTS
Both procedures resulted in significant pain reduction (5.4-5.6/10 points, p=0.8). There was significant height restoration after the operation (p<0.001), while there was no sustained difference between the procedures (p=0.5) up to three months postoperatively. More cement was injected in the bilateral group (4.1 mL vs. 4.9 mL, p=0.002); no difference in cement extravasation in the spinal canal was observed (p=0.5).
CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference in the clinical or radiological outcomes between the unilateral and bilateral approaches. Therefore, unilateral kyphoplasty may be performed whenever it is technically feasible and this may be determined preoperatively.

Keyword

Compression fracture; Magnetic resonance imaging; Multiple myeloma; Kyphoplasty; Unilateral

MeSH Terms

Fluoroscopy
Fractures, Compression
Humans
Kyphoplasty*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Multiple Myeloma*
Retrospective Studies
Skin
Spinal Canal