Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Patients with Osteoporosis: A One-Year Follow-up

• Published in: Acta radiologica (1987) 2006-07, Vol.47 (6), p.568-573
• Main Authors: Chang, C. -Y., Teng, M. M. -H., Wei, C. -J., Luo, C. -B., Chang, F. -C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Anthropometry; Back Pain - diagnostic imaging; Back Pain - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Diseases of the spine; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Kyphosis - diagnostic imaging; Kyphosis - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Orthopedic Procedures; Osteonecrosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteonecrosis - surgery; Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis - surgery; Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease; Pain Measurement; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Diseases - surgery; Spinal Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Fractures - surgery; Spine - diagnostic imaging; Spine - surgery; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
• ISSN: 0284-1851; 1600-0455
• DOI: 10.1080/02841850600690405

Purpose: To evaluate changes in height and wedge angle of treated vertebral bodies and kyphosis angle 1 year after vertebroplasty. Material and Methods: We reviewed radiographs of 95 vertebral bodies treated with vertebroplasty in 60 patients with osteoporosis. Only vertebral bodies with imaging evidence of a new fracture or avascular necrosis received vertebroplasty. Images were obtained for evaluation before vertebroplasty (B), within 2 weeks after vertebroplasty (T), and after 1 year (T1). Results: The mean wedge angle decreased by 5.4° from B to T1. Mean of the anterior, central, and posterior heights of the fractured bodies increased by 12.6%, 9.6%, and 3.1%, respectively, from B to T1. The kyphosis angle improved by 3.2° initially from B to T, but the improvement later disappeared. In 48% of these patients, a new fracture developed after vertebroplasty, and 63% of the fractures were adjacent to a vertebroplasty-treated vertebral body. Conclusion: The increase in height and wedge angle of the vertebral bodies generally lasted at least 1 year. Improvement in kyphosis angles was lost 1 year after vertebroplasty because new fractures occurred in 48% of these patients. Prevention of new fractures after vertebroplasty remains an important task.