Prospective evaluation of pain relief in 100 patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty: results and follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and durability of percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of back pain associated with vertebral body compression fractures.


METHODS
One hundred patients (79 women, 21 men; mean age, 73.7 y) underwent 156 percutaneous injections of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into a vertebra (68 thoracic and 88 lumbar) under fluoroscopic guidance over a 35-month period. Before the procedure and at follow-up, patients were asked to quantify their pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) and complete a follow-up questionnaire of our own design.


RESULTS
The procedure was technically successful in all patients. There were two complications. One patient sustained a sternal fracture and one experienced a transient radiculopathy. Ninety-seven patients (97%) reported significant pain relief 24 hours after treatment. Mean follow-up duration was 21.5 months (6-44 mo) in 99 patients. Ninety-two patients (93%) reported significant improvement in back pain previously associated with their compression fractures as well as improved ambulatory ability. Before vertebroplasty, the VAS score for the 99 patients was 8.91 +/- 1.12 compared to a score of 2.02 +/- 1.95 at follow-up. The mean difference in VAS scores was significant (P <.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous vertebroplasty of symptomatic vertebral body compression fractures is a minimally invasive procedure that provides immediate and sustained pain relief in patients with refractory pain.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate