Occurrence of new vertebral body fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and findings of vertebral body compression fractures adjacent to those previously treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty.


METHODS
The findings in 177 patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty for more than 2 years were reviewed retrospectively. The following parameters were reviewed: primary diagnosis, patient age and sex, date of treatment with vertebroplasty, vertebral level(s) treated, pedicular approach, and amount of polymethylmethacrylate injected per vertebral body. Patients with acute compression fractures secondary to osteoporosis were selected.


RESULTS
Of 177 patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty, 22 (12.4%) developed a total of 36 new vertebral body fractures following treatment. Of the 36 newly documented fractures, 24 (67%) involved vertebrae adjacent to the previously treated vertebral level(s), whereas 12 (33%) involved the collapse of nonadjacent vertebrae. In addition, 24 (67%) of the 36 new vertebral fractures occurred within 30 days after treatment of the initial fracture(s).


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial number of patients with osteoporosis develop new fractures after undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty; two-thirds of these new fractures occur in vertebrae adjacent to those previously treated.
Uppin
Anita A
AA
Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Mass., USA.
Hirsch
Joshua A
JA
Centenera
Luis V
LV
Pfiefer
Bernard A
BA
Pazianos
Artemis G
AG
Choi
In Sup
IS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology*
D020366:Methylmethacrylate