Vertebroplasty

Vertebral body fractures (VBFs) constitute the most frequent complication of osteoporosis with 700,000 cases reported annually. The estimated prevalence of VBFs increases with age, reaching 40% in 80-year-old women. Women with clinically diagnosed VBFs have a 15% higher mortality rate and are two to three times more likely to die of pulmonary causes. Osteoporotic VBFs also affect the musculoskeletal system, causing chronic pain, functional disability, changes of mood, and impairment in quality of life. Typically occurring at the anterior third of the vertebral body where trabecular bone is less prominent, these fractures alter the biomechanics of the spine, making adjacent levels more vulnerable to fracture. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is indicated for treatment of compression VBF resulting from osteoporosis or tumors. Vertebroplasty involves the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement into the fractured vertebral body via a needle that is placed percutaneously using either a transpedicular or extrapedicular approach. Vertebroplasty has gained widespread popularity, mostly because of significantly high rates of success, low incidence of complications, brief surgical time, limited sedation, minimal recovery period, and short or no hospital stay.