ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the clinical value of percutaneous bone cement fusion in treating stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Methods The clinical data of 4 ankylosing spondylitis patients with stress fracture of vertebral body adjacent to pseudoarthrosis,which was treated with percutaneous bone cement fusion,were retrospectively analyzed.Bone cement fusion through injection of bone cement was performed for 4 vertebral segments.Visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and Oswesty disability index (ODI) were determined before and after operation,the results were compared,and the improvements of pain and daily activity were evaluated.Results The operation was successfully accomplished in all the 4 patients.The mean used amount of bone cement for each vertebral segment was 14.5 ml.Small amount of bone cement extravasation was observed in one patient,but no severe clinical complication occurred.The mean VAS score decreased from preoperative 9 points to postoperative 3.5 points;ODI score decreased from preoperative 43.8 points to postoperative 14.5 points.After the treatment,the pain was obviously relieved and the daily activity was markedly improved.Conclusion For the treatment of stress fracture of vertebral body that is adjacent to pseudoarthrosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,percutaneous bone cement fusion is minimally-invasive,safe and effective.