Treatment of spinal fracture in elderly patients with osteoporosis by percutaneous vertebraplasty / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate discuss the effect of percutaneous vertebraplasty in the treatment of compression fracture of vertebra in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Methods The clinical history of 13 elderly patients (5 male and 8 female), aged 61 to 78 years (nean 67 years), of spinal suffering from compression fracture of the vertebra, were retruspectively reviewed. Among them, 2 patients suffered compressed fracture of T11, 5 with fracture of T12, 3 with fracture of L1, 4 fracture of L2, and one suffered fracture of four vertebral bodies from T10 to L1. Percutaneous puncture were guided by C-arm X-ray or by computer navigation system, and a canal of 4.5 mm in diameter was created in the pedicle. A balloon was then introduced into the canal, and it was expanded. with radioopaque contrast medium under high pressure. The balloon was then removed after the height of the vertebral body was resumed as verified by X-ray. Bone cement in same volume and temperature was injected in the cavity which was newly formed. The treatment was completed with solidification of the bone cement. Results Low back pain disappeared in all 13 cases. Patients can be ambulatory in 6-8 hours postoperatively. The height of the vertebra body was basic recovered on postoperative X-ray, and kyphosis was rectified to a mean of 14 degrees (range10-28 degree). There was no relapse of low back pain or collapse of vertebral body after 1 to 12 months' follow up. Conclusion Percutaneous expansion of compressed vertebral body is a new kind of microsurgical, treatment for spinal compression fracture in elderly patients with osteoporosis, and it is simple and effective in relieving pain and recovering function.