Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Objective To evaluate the clinical application and therapeutic effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) in treating symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.Methods Twenty-two patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP).The fracture segment was within T9～L5.Under the guidance of single-plane C-arm fluoroscopy,bone marrow harvest needle was inserted percutaneously into the fractured vertebrae by the transpedicular approach.Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) mixture was then injected into the fractured vertebrae.Visual analogue scale(VAS) and mobility were evaluated before and 3 days after the procedure and in the follow-up period.The average follow-up period was 8 months(3～20 months).Results PVP was technically successful in all the patients(48 vertebrae).The average volume of PMMA cement injected was 2.7mL(range,1.5～4.0mL).The analgesic effect ocurred within 4～24 hours after the procedure.VAS was sharply decreased from pre-PVP(7.2±1.1) to(2.5±1.0) at day 3 after PVP(P0.001).It decreased slightly to(2.2±1.0) during the follow-up period.Scale of patient’s mobility was increased from pre-PVP(2.5±0.7) to(1.5±0.4) at day 3 after PVP with a significant difference(P0.001).It was(1.4±0.5) during the follow-up period and without significant difference compared with post PVP.Conclusion PVP is a safe,effective and mini-invasive technique for symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.