Vertebroplasty in Vertebral Compression Fractures: Single Institute Experience with 49 Cases

Abstract

Objective: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is the preferred treatment option for vertebral compression fractures (VCF). In this study, the efficacy and complications of PVP were investigated among 49 patients with VCF.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with VCF due to osteoporosis, trauma, osteolytic bone tumors, metastases or leukemia who were admitted to our hospital between 2012 and 2015 and treated with PVP were included in the study. In patients' preoperative and postoperative evaluation, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess back and leg pain, preoperative routine lumbar vertebral radiography was used for fracture morphology, lumbar magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and the segmental kyphotic angle, vertebral corpus compression rate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement volume, and diffusion of PMMA were recorded.

Results: Preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 8.6 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.13 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.01). The approximate compression rate was 24.72 +/- 13.99 %, the ratio of approximate restoration height was 3.47 +/- 5.36, and the mean kyphosis angle was 7.35 +/- 6.81 degrees. The mean pre- and postoperative values of vertebral height were 1.83 +/- 0.39 cm vs1.88 +/- 0.36 cm (P <.01).

Conclusion: In this study, preoperative pain in patients with VCF prominently diminished in the postoperative early and late phase. After PVP, vertebral height showed a subtle increase.