[Polymethylmethacrylate-vertebroplasty. A new and effective method of pain treatment in vertebral compression].
OBJECTIVE
Percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty is increasingly used in the treatment of back pain related to compression of the vertebral bodies. After the procedure immediate mobilization of the patient is possible. The purpose of the study was to examine the change in quality of life of patients with vertebral collapse achieved by vertebroplasty during a six-month period.


METHODS
28 patients with osteolytic metastases (mean age 59,7 +/- 7,8 years, 2,1:1male/female ratio) and 38 patients with osteoporotic vertebral collapse (mean age 73 +/- 6 years, 1:3,5male/female ratio ) of the thoracal and lumbar spine were treated with PMMA vertebroplasty and analysed prospectively. After admission, before, six weeks and 6 months after discharge from the hospital patients answered the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability (OLBPD) questionnaire for assessment of treatment-related changes in disability.


RESULTS
Immediately and 6 months after treatment 83 % of tumor patients and 92 % of ostoporotic patients had significant pain reduction. Extravasation of PMMA beyond the vertebral margins were observed in 26 % of the patients. No treatment-related clinical or neurological complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
PMMA vertebroplasty is an efficacious and safe method of pain relief for patients with osteolytic metastases or osteoporotic compression with good long-term results.
Winking
M
M
Neurochirurgische Klinik, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen. michael.winking@neuro.med.uni-giessen.de
Stahl
J-P
JP
Oertel
M
M
Schnettler
R
R
Böker
D-K
DK
D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012449:Safety; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate