Computerized tomography guided sacroplasty: a practical treatment for sacral insufficiency fracture: case report.
METHODS
Small case series projecting widespread therapeutic implications.


OBJECTIVE
To promote sacroplasty as a feasible treatment for sacral insufficiency fractures.


BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis, a major cause of vertebral and sacral insufficiency fractures, is an increasingly serious problem in the elderly population. Painful sacral fractures often cause patients to be immobile, and at increased risk for comorbidities and osteoporosis progression. Currently, there is no therapy available for the treatment of these fractures. Vertebroplasty has evolved as a standard of care for treating fractures as a result of malignant and nonmalignant spinal pathology. Sacroplasty represents a reasonable adaptation of this interventional technique.


METHODS
Computerized tomography (CT) guidance was used to monitor percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate injection into sacral insufficiency fractures.


RESULTS
We report 2 cases of elderly patients with posttraumatic sacral insufficiency fractures, whose symptoms were completely relieved following CT-guided internal fixation by percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Under CT guidance, sacroplasty is a safe, practical, and effective solution to this underdiagnosed problem, with potential for comorbidities resulting in prolonged, costly hospital admissions for the elderly.
Brook
Allan L
AL
Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. abrook2214@aol.com
Mirsky
David M
DM
Bello
Jacqueline A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate