title: Clinical Effects and Radiological Results of Vertebroplasty: Over a 2-year Follow-Up Period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the association between clinical and radiological results and assessed the radiological changes according to the distribution pattern and amount of injected cement after vertebroplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and one patients underwent vertebroplasty; of these, 15 were follow up for more than 2 years. For radiological analysis, we grouped the patients according to cement distribution as follows: group 1, unilateral, unilateral distribution of cement; group 2, bilateral-uneven, bilateral distribution of cement but separated mass; and group 3, bilateral-even, bilateral single mass of cement. To compare radiologic with clinical results, we assessed the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, amount of injected cement, bone mineral density (BMD), postoperative and follow-up vertebral body compression ratios, and postoperative and follow-up kyphotic angles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4 (26.7%) patients in group 1, 6 (40.0%) in group 2, and 5 (33.3%) in group 3. The mean VAS score was 5.2 preoperatively, 1.8 postoperatively, and 3.2 at 2-year follow-up. The 2-year follow-up compression ratio was better in patients with even distribution of injected cement (group 2 and 3) than group 1. However, it was not statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The follow-up kyphotic angle was more aggravated in the group 1 than in the other groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that vertebroplasty had a beneficial effect on pain relief, particularly in the immediate postoperative stage. The augmented spine tended to be more stable in the cases with increased amount and more even distribution of injected cement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine Hallym University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Han Ga Wi
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine Hallym University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Je Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine Hallym University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Il Young
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine Hallym University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Myung
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine Hallym University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hwang
keywords: Compression fracture; Osteoporotic fracture; Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); Vertebroplasty