Percutaneous vertebroplasty: indications, technique, and results

Radiographics. 2003 Mar-Apr;23(2):e10. doi: 10.1148/rg.e10.

Abstract

The authors describe a dedicated therapeutic vertebroplasty technique that uses newly designed instruments, acrylic cement, and dual guidance with ultrasonography and computed tomography for pain control in patients with bone failure, and report their experience. Between 1990 and 2002, they performed 868 percutaneous cementoplasty procedures in patients with severe osteoporosis, vertebral tumors, and symptomatic hemangiomas. In patients with osteoporosis, satisfactory results were obtained in 78% of cases; in patients with vertebral tumors, satisfactory results were obtained in 83% of cases; and in patients with hemangiomas, satisfactory results were obtained in 73% of cases. In the global series of 868 cementoplasties, an epidural leak was observed in 15 cases, which caused neuralgia in only three patients without spinal cord compression. In two patients, an asymptomatic pulmonary embolism was detected. The needle of the new vertebroplasty set is designed with side wings for easier rotation and removal. The screw syringe increases the precision of injection. The risk of leak is substantially reduced. The system is safe, reduces the cement manipulation time, and allows excellent control of the injection. The authors performed 130 vertebroplasties with this system without major complications.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Cements / adverse effects
  • Bone Cements / therapeutic use
  • Contraindications
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Hemangioma / complications*
  • Hemangioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / blood supply
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Medical Illustration
  • Middle Aged
  • Motion Pictures
  • Osteoporosis / complications*
  • Osteoporosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management*
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / adverse effects
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / therapeutic use*
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Bone Cements
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate