Factors influencing further vertebral height loss following percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures:A 1-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs)contribute to back pain and functional limitations in older individuals,with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)emerging as a minimally invasive treatment.However,further height loss post-PVP prompts investigation into contributing factors.AIM To investigate the factors associated with further height loss following PVP with cement augmentation in OVCF patients.METHODS A total of 200 OVCF patients who underwent successful PVP between January 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study.“Further height loss”during 1 year of follow-up in OVCF patients with bone edema was defined as a vertical height loss of≥4 mm.The study population was divided into two groups for analysis:The“No Further Height Loss group(n=179)”and the“Further Height Loss group(n=21).”RESULTS In comparing two distinct groups of patients,significant differences existed in bone mineral density(BMD),vertebral compression degree,prevalence of intravertebral cleft(IVF),type of bone cement used,and cement distribution patterns.Results from binary univariate regression analysis revealed that lower BMD,the presence of IVF,cleft distribution of bone cement,and higher vertebral compression degree were all significantly associated with further height loss.Notably,the use of mineralized collagen modified-poly(methyl methacrylate)bone cement was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of further height loss.In multivariate regression analysis,lower BMD and the presence of IVF remained significantly associated with further height loss.CONCLUSION Further height loss following PVP in OVCF patients is influenced by a complex interplay of factors,especially lower BMD and the presence of IVF.These findings underscore the importance of assessing and managing these factors when addressing height loss following PVP in OVCF patients.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: Indications and Results, a Preliminary Senegalese Experience from the Neurosurgery Department of the CHNU of Fann

Introduction: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are percutaneous techniques that consist in injecting an acrylic cement into the body of a pathological vertebra. This work aims to report the experience the of Fann’s neurosurgery department in treating certain spinal pathologies by vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Methods: During a 3-year period from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2022, we conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, including patients who underwent vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for dorsolumbar spinal pathology. Results: The mean age of the 13 patients in our study was 51.61 years. Female gender was predominant in 62% (n = 8). The context of spontaneous onset was found in six patients. Nine patients had a VAS (visual analogue scale) ≥ 8 (69.23%). On clinical examination, all patients had a syndrome without neurological deficits. 84.61% of patients had a CT scan (n = 11). The dorsolumbar hinge was most affected with 53.85% of cases. Seven patients had a vertebral compression of between 25% and. The average degree of kyphosis was 8˚ and seven patients had a degree of kyphosis ≥ 10˚. Tumour aetiology accounted for 46.15% of cases. Kyphoplasty was performed in 61.53% (n = 9) of the cases and vertebroplasty was performed in 38.47% (n = 4) of the patients. Kyphoplasty was associated with biopsy in two cases and with osteosynthesis in one patient. Vertebroplasty was always associated with a biopsy. The evolution was favourable with a significant reduction in pain and vertebral kyphosis. The mean VAS decreased from 8.15 to 0.69 three months after treatment and the mean kyphosis decreased from 8˚ to 2˚. Conclusion: Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty as percutaneous techniques allow consolidation of the vertebral body and pain relief. Kyphoplasty alone not only reduces pain but also restores the height of the compacted vertebral body.

Comparative review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

The aim of this review is to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty to treat pain and improve functional outcome from ver-tebral fractures secondary to osteoporosis and tumor conditions. In 2009, two open randomized controlled trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine questioned the value of vertebroplasty in treating ver-tebral compression fractures. Nevertheless, the prac-tice of physicians treating these conditions has barely changed. The objective of this review is to try to clarify the most important issues, based on our own experi-ence and the reported evidence about both techniques, and to guide towards the most appropriate choice of treatment of vertebral fractures, although many ques-tions still remain unanswered.

Predictive risk factors for recollapse of cemented vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND As one of the most common complications of osteoporosis,osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF)increases the risk of disability and mortality in elderly patients.Percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)is considered to be an effective,safe,and minimally invasive treatment for OVCFs.The recollapse of cemented vertebrae is one of the serious complications of PVP.However,the risk factors associated with recollapse after PVP remain controversial.AIM To identify risk factors for the recollapse of cemented vertebrae after PVP in patients with OVCFs.METHODS A systematic search in EMBASE,MEDLINE,the Cochrane Library,and PubMed was conducted for relevant studies from inception until March 2020.Studies investigating risk factors for the recollapse of cemented vertebrae after PVP without additional trauma were selected for analysis.Odds ratios(ORs)or standardized mean differences with 95%confidence interval(CI)were calculated and heterogeneity was assessed by both the chi-squared test and the I-squared test.The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.RESULTS A total of nine case-control studies were included in our meta-analysis comprising 300 cases and 2674 controls.The significant risk factors for the recollapse of cemented vertebrae after PVP in OVCF patients were fractures located at the thoracolumbar junction(OR=2.09;95%CI:1.30 to 3.38;P=0.002),preoperative intravertebral cleft(OR=2.97;95%CI:1.93 to 4.57;P<0.00001),and solid lump distribution pattern of the cement (OR = 3.11;95%CI: 1.91 to 5.07;P < 0.00001).The analysis did not support that age, gender, lumbar bone mineral density,preoperative visual analogue scale score, injected cement volume, intradiscalcement leakage, or vertebral height restoration could increase the risk forcemented vertebra recollapse after PVP in OVCFs.CONCLUSIONThis meta-analysis suggests that thoracolumbar junction fractures, preoperativeintravertebral cleft, and solid lump cement distribution pattern are associatedwith the recollapse of cemented vertebrae after PVP in OVCF patients.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures with epidural involvement

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) in treating malignant spinal tumors and malignant vertebral compression fractures with epidural involvement. Materials and methods: 43 patients with spinal metastatic tumors and malignant vertebral compression fractures with epidural involvement were treated using PVP. American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA) impairment scale results at presentation were used to divide patients into 2 groups. Patients in group A had no symptoms of neurological compression(n = 25); and patients in group B had symptoms of neurological compression(n = 28). A 13 G bone puncture needle was placed across the pedicle of the fractured vertebra, and polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) was injected into the fractured vertebral body under fluoroscopic control. Patients were seen in follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure and every six months thereafter. Results: PVP was technically successful and well-tolerated in all patients. Clinical assessment at the final follow-up found complete pain relief(n = 19) or good pain relief(n = 14) in 33 patients(62.3%, 95% CI: 49%, 76%). ASIA impairment scale assessment at the final follow-up demonstrated symptoms of neurologic compression in 31 patients and no symptoms of neurologic compression in 22 patients. Symptoms of neurologic compression were found in five group A patients and eight group B patients. Conclusions: PVP was a safe and moderately effective procedure in the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures with epidural involvement.

Vertebroplasty and delayed subdural cauda equina hematoma: Review of literature and case report

Vertebroplasy is considered an alternative and effective treatment of painful oncologic spine disease. Major complications are very rare, but with high morbidity and occur in less than 1% of patients who undergo vertebroplasty. Spinal subdural hematoma(SDH) is an extremely rare complication, usual developing within 12 h to 24 h after the procedure. We report the case of a tardive SDH in an oncologic patient who underwent VP for Myxoid Liposarcoma metastasis. Trying to explain the pathogenesis, we support the hypothesis that both venous congestion of the vertebral venous plexus of the vertebral body and venous congestion due to a traumatic injury can provoke SDH. To our best knowledge, only 4 cases of spinal subdural hematoma following a transpedicular vertebroplasty have been previously described in International literature and only one of them occurred two weeks after that surgical procedures. Percutaneous verteboplasty is a wellknown treatment of pain oncologic spine disease, used to provide pain relief and improvement of quality life and is considered a simple surgical procedure, involving a low risk of complications, but related to high morbidity, such as SDH. Therefore it has to be performed by experienced and skilled surgeons, that should also recognize possible risk factors, making SDH more risky.

A Comparative Study of High-viscosity Cement Percutaneous Vertebroplasty vs. Low-viscosity Cement Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

The clinical effects of two different methods–high-viscosity cement percutaneous vertebroplasty（PVP） and low-viscosity cement percutaneous kyphoplasty（PKP） in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures（OVCFs） were investigated. From June 2010 to August 2013, 98 cases of OVCFs were included in our study. Forty-six patients underwent high-viscosity PVP and 52 patients underwent low-viscosity PKP. The occurrence of cement leakage was observed. Pain relief and functional activity were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale（VAS） and Oswestry Disability Index（ODI）, respectively. Restoration of the vertebral body height and angle of kyphosis were assessed by comparing preoperative and postoperative measurements of the anterior heights, middle heights and the kyphotic angle of the fractured vertebra. Nine out of the 54 vertebra bodies and 11 out of the 60 vertebra bodies were observed to have cement leakage in the high-viscosity PVP and low-viscosity PKP groups, respectively. The rate of cement leakage, correction of anterior vertebral height and kyphotic angles showed no significant differences between the two groups（P〉0.05）. Low-viscosity PKP had significant advantage in terms of the restoration of middle vertebral height as compared with the high-viscosity PVP（P〈0.05）. Both groups showed significant improvements in pain relief and functional capacity status after surgery（P〈0.05）. It was concluded that high-viscosity PVP and low-viscosity PKP have similar clinical effects in terms of the rate of cement leakage, restoration of the anterior vertebral body height, changes of kyphotic angles, functional activity, and pain relief. Low-viscosity PKP is better than high-viscosity PVP in restoring the height of the middle vertebra.

Injectable bioactive polymethyl methacrylate-hydrogel hybrid bone cement loaded with BMP-2 to improve osteogenesis for percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Poly methyl methacrylate(PMMA)bone cement is used in augmenting and stabilizing fractured vertebral bodies through percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)and percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP).However,applications of PMMA bone cement are limited by the high elasticity modulus of PMMA,its low biodegradability,and its limited ability to regenerate bone.To improve PMMA bio activity and biodegradability and to modify its elasticity modulus,we mixed PMMA bone cement with oxidized hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl chitosan in situ cross-linking hydrogel loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)to achieve novel hybrid cement.These fabric ated PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements exhibited lower setting temperatures,a lower elasticity modulus,and better biodegradability and biocompatibility than that of pure PMMA cement,while retaining acceptable setting times,mechanical strength,and inj ectability.In addition,we detected release of BMP-2 from the PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements,significantly enhancing in vitro osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by up-regulating the gene expression of Runx2,Coll,and OPN.Use of PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements loaded with BMP-2 on rabbit femoral condyle bone-defect models revealed their biodegradability and enhanced bone formation.Our study demonstrated the favorable mechanical properties,biocompatibility,and biodegradability of fabricated PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements loaded with BMP-2,as well as their ability to improve osteogenesis,making them a promising material for use in PKP and PVP.

Comparison of the postoperative pain change and spinal stenosis rate between percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation and with ^(125)I particle implantation in the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression:A retrospective st

Background context:Metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC)seriously affects the survival rate.Objective:The therapeutic effects of two treatment strategies for MSCC:percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)combined with radiofrequency ablation(RFA)and PVP combined with^(125)I particle implantation,were compared.Study design:Retrospective study.Patient sample:40 patients with MSCC were divided into two groups:19 cases in the RFA group and 21 cases in the^(125)I group.Method:All patients were accessed to determine the differences in pain,which was evaluated using the visual analog scale(VAS)at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months after the operation,and spinal stenosis rates(SSRs),which were measured at 1 and 3 months after the operation,between the two groups.Results:The VAS scores and SSRs at baseline were comparable between the RFA group and the^(125)I group(7.19±2.07 vs 7.42±1.95,37.7%±11.2%vs 41.1%±11.4%).The VAS scores and SSRs at 1 month and 3 months after the operation were significantly reduced in both groups,compared with those at baseline.The VAS scores and SSRs in the^(125)I group were lower than those in the RFA group at 3 months after the operation(1.09±0.97 vs 1.75±1.06 p=0.048 and 12.3%±6.4%vs 18.1%±10.1%p=0.034),while the VAS scores at1 week after the operation in the RFA group were lower than those in the^(125)I group(4.39±1.34 vs 5.05±1.82 p=0.049).Conclusion:PVP combined with RFA has a slight advantage in relieving pain in the short term,while PVP combined with^(125)I particle implantation may have a better effect in the relieving pain and decreasing the SSRs at 3 months after the operation.

Resolution of epidural hematoma related to osteoporotic fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty

We are the first to report a case that showed spontaneous resolution of epidural hematoma which was related to a steroid-induced osteoporotic compression fracture.The patient had a painful fracture with an intravertebral cleft at L1 accompanying an epidural hematoma posteriorly.Immediate pain relief was achieved after percutaneous vertebroplasty.Complete resolution of hematoma was noted three months after procedure.We theorized that intravertebral stability after treatment might have played a role in this patient.

Delayed complications of intradural cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty:A case report

BACKGROUND Intradural cement leakage following percutaneous vertebroplasty is a rare but acute and devastating complication that usually requires emergent treatment.Here,we report a delayed complication of intradural leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old female patient with an L1 osteoporotic compression fracture underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in 2014.She was referred to our hospital 5 years later due to complaints of progressive weakness and numbness in both legs combined with urinary incontinence and constipation.Initially,she was suspected to have a spinal meningioma at the level of L1 according to imaging examinations.Postoperative pathological tests confirmed that cement had leaked into the dura during the first percutaneous vertebroplasty.CONCLUSION Guideline adherence is essential to prevent cement from leaking into the spinal canal or even the dura.Once leakage occurs,urgent evaluation and decompression surgery are necessary to prevent further neurological damage.

Total spinal anesthesia caused by lidocaine during unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia:A case report

BACKGROUND Intradural anesthesia caused by anesthetic drug leakage during percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)has rarely been reported.We here report a 71-year-old woman who suffered this rare and life-threatening complication during PVP.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old woman,who suffered from 2 wk of severe back pain with a visual analog score of 8,came to our outpatient clinic.She was later diagnosed with a newly compressed L1 fracture and was then admitted in our department.PVP was initially attempted again under local anesthesia.However,serendipitous intradural anesthesia leading to total spinal anesthesia happened.Fortunately,after successful resuscitation of the patient,PVP was safely and smoothly performed.Great pain relief was achieved postoperatively,and she was safely discharged on postoperative day 4.The patient recovered normally at 3-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION Total spinal anesthesia secondary to PVP by anesthetic drug leakage rarely occurs.In cases of inadvertent wrong puncture leading to drug leakage when performing it under local anesthesia,surgeons should be highly vigilant during the whole procedure.Electrocardiogram monitoring,oxygen inhalation,intravenous cannula set prior to surgery,regular checking of motor activity and a meticulous imaging monitoring with slower pushing of anesthetic drugs,etc.should be highly recommended.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of delayed post-traumatic vertebral body collapse(Kümmell’s disease) in Chinese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy between percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) in the treatment of Kümmell's disease in Chinese patients.Methods: The studies using randomized controlled trials to compare clinical efficacy between PVP and PKP in the treatment of Kümmell's disease in Chinese patients were retrieved from Embase, Pubmed, Central, Cinahl, PQDT, CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfang Data, and CBM(from September 2008 to September 2018). Keywords for both Chinese and English search were: percutaneous vertebroplasty, PVP, percutaneous kyphoplasty, PKP, and Kümmell's disease. A total of 132 articles were retrieved based on the search strategy through online database searching and manual searching. Finally, one foreign report and seven Chinese reports were included. After extracting the data, statistical software Review Manager 5.3 was used for data analysis.Results: Through comparison, Cobb angle(95% CI [0.54, 4.42), P = 0.01] and Oswestry Dysfunction Index(ODI)(95% CI [0.21, 2.15], P= 0.02) of PKP group was smaller than that of PVP group. Postoperative anterior vertebral body height of the PKP group was better than PVP group(95% CI [-1.27,-0.66], P < 0.001]. However, the PVP group had shorter operation time than PKP group(95% CI [-13.48,-7.43), P = 0.001]. In the other outcome measures, including Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) score(95% CI [-0.04, 0.27), P = 0.15), cement volume(95% CI [-0.82, 0.32], P = 0.39) and cement leakage(95% CI [0.90, 2.76], P = 0.11), there was no significant differences between the two procedures.Conclusions: At this stage, there is sufficient evidence to support that PKP is better than PVP in the treatment of Kümmell's disease in Chinese patients. Although PVP surgery requires much less operation time, PKP has better postoperative radiological results and lower ODI. Moreover, both of them had similar clinical results(e.g., analgesic effects, cement dosage, and leakage rate). Further evidence is dependent on the emergence of randomized controlled trials with higher quality and larger sample sizes in the future.

Traditional Chinese medicine manipulative reduction combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty for treating type Ⅲ Kummell's disease: A case report

BACKGROUND A patient with type Ⅲ Kummell’s disease had a ruptured posterior cortex of the fractured vertebral body, which caused spinal cord compression. An open surgery was considered the best choice of operation. However, the patient and her family refused open surgery and instead demanded a minimally invasive surgical treatment such as percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP). After preoperative discussion, we finally adopted the novel therapy of traditional Chinese medicine manipulative reduction(TCMMR) combined with PVP.CASE SUMMARY A patient with type Ⅲ Kummell’s disease exhibiting bone block-induced spinal cord compression was admitted to our hospital. She suffered from a variety of medical disorders but refused open surgery, and instead asked for PVP surgery. TCMMR, in parallel with PVP, was used to restore the height of the compressed vertebral body and reduce the symptoms of spinal cord compression by the bone block in order to strengthen the vertebral body and prevent further collapse. The surgery was very successful. The height of the compressed vertebra was restored, and the symptom of spinal cord compression by bone block was reduced successfully via TCMMR. The fractured vertebra was solidified by the PVP. The pain visual analog score declined from preoperative 7 scores to postoperative 2 scores, and the Frankel spinal cord scale increased from preoperative D degree to postoperative E degree.CONCLUSION The new method has advantages in treating patients with type Ⅲ Kummell’s disease who cannot be treated with open surgery.

Results of Treating Vertebral Metastases by Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Combined with Interventional Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE Vertebral metastases are a common manifestation in patients with advanced cancer and treatment is often ineffective. This study was conducted to explore the efficacy of treating vertebral metastases by percutaneous vertebroplasty （PVP） combined with interventional chemotherapy. METHODS Seventy-five patients with vertebral metastases （42 men, 33 women; ages 31-76 years） were divided into 2 groups： 39 cases were treated by PVP combined with chemotherapy （VPCC group）, and 36 cases were treated by PVP alone （VP group）. All procedures were guided by computed tomography （CT） scanning. The results and complications were evaluated by a questionnaire regarding pain and routine follow-up. RESULTS The response rate was significantly higher in the VPCC group than in the VP group （93.0% vs 74.4%, P〈0.05）; total response rates for the VPCC and VP groups were 25.6% and 10.3% respectively. A common complication related to VPCC was transient aggravating pain. CONCLUSION PVP may ameliorate pain, and consolidate the vertebrae of patients with vertebral metastases. Its short-term effect may be enhanced by adding drugs into the bone cement.

Adjacent Level Vertebral Fractures in Patients Operated with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves filling of a fractured vertebral body with bone cement to relieve pain and to restore the vertebral height. It is a safe and effective treatment and is widely used for treating Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture. Despite of its beneficial advantages over primary conservative managements, adjacent level vertebral compression fracture remains the challenge for surgeons. Adjacent level vertebral compression fracture following percutaneous vertebroplasty using PMMA cement has been reported as a complication. Numerous risk factors have been reported for the occurrence of new adjacent VCFs after PVP. The multiple level osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and the increasing age of the patients are directly proportional to the risk of developing new symptomatic adjacent vertebral compression fracture after PVP. Moreover, low BMD and cement leakage are other factors that directly affect the incidence of new symptomatic adjacent vertebral fractures. The aim of this review is to evaluate the adjacent level vertebral compression fracture following percutaneous vertebroplasty on the basis of radiographs, Kaplan-Meier Estimation index and also the factors that lead to adjacent level vertebral compression fractures.

Effect of vertebroplasty combined with pedicle internal fixation on senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

Objective:To investigate the effect of vertebroplasty combined with pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.Methods:Eighty-one patients with senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were enrolled in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2019.They were randomly divided into a single group(40 cases)and a combined group(41 cases).),a single group was treated with pedicle screw internal fixation,and the combined group was treated with vertebroplasty.The recovery,pain and dysfunction index of the injured vertebrae before and after operation were compared between the two groups.The serum neurological function related indexes before and after operation were compared and the incidence of postoperative adverse events were recorded.Results:There was no significant difference in the recovery of the injured vertebrae between the two groups(P>0.05).The compression ratio,spinal stenosis rate and Cobb angle of the combined group were significantly lower than the single group(P<0.05).On the 3rd postoperative day,there were no significant differences between the two groups in Visual Analogue Scale/Score(VAS)and Oswestry Dability Index(ODI)scores(P>0.05).The VAS and ODI scores of the group were significantly lower than those of the single group(P<0.05).On the 3rd day after surgery,the neuron-specific enolase(NSE)and brain derived neurotrophic factor(brain-derived neurotrophic factor)were used.The levels of BDNF,S100βand Nerve growth factor(NGF)were not significantly different(P>0.05).At 3 months after operation,the level of BDNF in the combined group was significantly higher than that in the single group.The levels of NSE,S100βand NGF were significantly lower than that of the single group.The group(P<0.05);the incidence of adverse events in the combined group was significantly lower than that in the single group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Vertebroplasty combined with pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture can effectively improve the recovery of postoperative vertebral body structure,postoperative pain and dysfunction in Jianing patients,improve postoperative neurological function To reduce the incidence of adverse events,with clinical promotion significance.

Clnical Study of the Treatment of Patients with a Metastatic Spinal Tumor by Percutaneous Vertebroplasty under the Guidance of DSA

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical effect in patients with metastatic spinal tumors treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty （PVP） under the guidance of digital subtraction angiography （DSA）. METHODS A total of 110 cases with a metastatic spinal tumor were di- vided into 55 cases in the treatment group （group A ） and 55 cases in the control group （group B ）. The general clinical data were statistically analyzed before treatment with the parameters showing no differences. Group A was treated by PVP and chemotherapy as well. Group B was treated by the regular chemotherapy and regular radiation therapy. The same chemotherapy program was used for the same type of disease. All cases were provided with a follow-up survey for 12 months. During the follow-up survey, changes in the quality of life, in evaluation of bone pain and in vertebral column stability as well as adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS The statistics showed a significant difference between the 2 groups, specifically changes in the quality of life and evaluation of bone pain （P〈0.05, t1=2.74, t2=9.02）. During the follow-up survey, 5 cases in group A died of other organ complilcations, the death rate being 9.1% （5 out of 55）, but all survived more than 3 months following PVP. The vertebral columns of the survivors were kept stable, with no pathological fractures occurring in the vertebral bodies filled with bone cement, there were no obvious adverse reactions, and no paraplegia occurred. Thirteen cases died in group B with a death rate of 23.6% （13 out of 55）. Pathological compression fractures in the vertebral bodies occurred in 30 cases, and 12 cases of complicated paraplegia were noted. The incident rate of paraplegia was 21.8% （12 out of 55）. CONCLUSION PVP is a simple operation causing only small wounds and few complications. It can effectively alleviate pain of metastatic spinal tumors in patients, improve quality of life and reduce the incidence rate of paraplegia.

Treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures by percutaneous vertebroplasty

Objective: To explore the effect of pe rc utaneous vertebroplasty to treat osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractur es. Methods: Seventeen patients with compression fractures at 27 different levels came in for percutaneous vertebroplasty. Under the guidance of C-arm image intensifier, bone needle was inserted into the fracture vertebral bodies via a unilateral transpedicular approach. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) w as injected slowly under continuous fluoroscopic control. Then the effect was ev aluated after operation. Results: Follow-up results among 15 pa tients were studied, other two patients lost contact. The follow-up period was from three to seven months. No patient had relapse of compression fracture. Leak age of the cement outside the vertebral body was seen in four bodies. All patien ts had a complete relief after Percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP). Conclus ion: PVP is an efficient minimally invasive technique to treat osteoporo tic vertebral body compression fractures.

Image Findings Following Vertebroplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: Bone Healing and Sagittal Alignment

Purpose: To clarify the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fracture by assessing the changes of radiographic and CT image findings. Materials and Methods: A retrospective radiological analysis comprising 101 vertebrae of 48 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture was conducted. Whole spine radiographs and CT images were compared in patients preoperatively and 6 months postoperativey. Sagittal Cobb angles in three regions, sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic tilt were measured using whole spine lateral radiographs. CT findings due to the vertebral compression fracture, its healing process, and complications were evaluated. Results: On radiographs, sagittal alignment had an average gain of no more than 2.5° in each region. Sagittal vertical axis and pelvic tilt did not show significant change. Out of 68 vertebrae that demonstrated cortical disruption on preoperative CT, 37 (54%) demonstrated fusion of disrupted cortex on postoperative CT. Conclusion: No significant difference was observed between preoperative and postoperative spinal sagittal alignment on radiographs. However, CT did reveal healing process through fusion of disrupted cortex, intervertebral bridging, and increased density of cancellous bone. It is suggested that cement in the space of fracture may play a role in both mechanical stability and bone union.