Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Vertebral Body Compression Fracture with Osteoporosis - Preliminary Report -

골다공증을 동반한 척추체 압박골절에 대한 경피적 척추 성형술 - 예비보고 -

Objective : Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective and minimally invasive procedure consisting of the injection of a PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate) into the vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis. Matherials and Methods : Twenty-eight procedures were performed for vertebral body compression fractures with osteoporosis in 25 patients(22 women, 3 men). The mean age was 65.9 years old. The inclusion criteria for percutaneous vertebroplasty were 1) acute vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis, 2) expected high operative morbidity in old age, 3) no neurologic deficits, 4) no or minimal canal enchroachment, 5) patient refusal of invasive surgery. All patients underwent MR images before the procedure. Under local anesthesia, after the percutaneous needle puncture of the involved vertebra via a transpedicular approach and venography using the water soluble contrast material, PMMA injection was introduced into the fractured vertebral body. Results : The procedure was technically successful in all patients. All patients experienced excellent pain relief (complete pain relief ; 10, marked pain relief ; 14). One patient experienced marked pain relief, however, the patient died during the follow-up period due to stomach cancer. There were twelve paravertebral tissue leaks, twelve paravertebral venous plexus leaks, four epidural leaks and one intradiskal leak, but no clinically significant complications occurred in all patients. Conclusion : Percutaneous vertebraoplasty is a valuable procedure in the treatment of vertebral body compression fracture with osteoporosis, providing immediate pain relief and early mobilization. MRI is the most reliable diagnostic tool for identifying painful fractured vertebral body.