Armed Kyphoplasty: An Indirect Central Canal Decompression Technique in Burst Fractures.

A Venier,J.A Hirsch,P Scarone,A Cianfoni,L Roccatagliata,G Bonaldi,D.E Kuhlen,M Isalberti,M Reinert

doi:10.3174/ajnr.a6285

Abstract

Burst fractures are characterized by middle column disruption and may feature posterior wall retropulsion. Indications for treatment remain controversial. Recently introduced vertebral augmentation techniques using intravertebral distraction devices, such as vertebral body stents and SpineJack, could be effective in fracture reduction and fixation and might obtain central canal clearance through ligamentotaxis. This study assesses the results of armed kyphoplasty using vertebral body stents or SpineJack in traumatic, osteoporotic, and neoplastic burst fractures with respect to vertebral body height restoration and correction of posterior wall retropulsion. This was a retrospective assessment of 53 burst fractures with posterior wall retropulsion and no neurologic deficit in 51 consecutive patients treated with armed kyphoplasty. Posterior wall retropulsion and vertebral body height were measured on pre- and postprocedural CT. Clinical and radiologic follow-up charts were reviewed. Armed kyphoplasty was performed as a stand-alone treatment in 43 patients, combined with posterior instrumentation in 8 and laminectomy in 4. Pre-armed kyphoplasty and post-armed kyphoplasty mean posterior wall retropulsion was 5.8 and 4.5 mm, respectively (P < .001), and mean vertebral body height was 10.8 and 16.7 mm, respectively (P < .001). No significant clinical complications occurred. Clinical and radiologic follow-up (1-36 months; mean, 8 months) was available in 39 patients. Three treated levels showed a new fracture during follow-up without neurologic deterioration, and no retreatment was deemed necessary. In the treatment of burst fractures with posterior wall retropulsion and no neurologic deficit, armed kyphoplasty yields fracture reduction, internal fixation, and indirect central canal decompression. In selected cases, it might represent a suitable minimally invasive treatment option, stand-alone or in combination with posterior stabilization.

Highlights

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEBurst fractures are characterized by middle column disruption and may feature posterior wall retropulsion
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective assessment of 53 burst fractures with posterior wall retropulsion and no neurologic deficit in 51 consecutive patients treated with armed kyphoplasty
Armed kyphoplasty was performed as a stand-alone treatment in 43 patients, combined with posterior instrumentation in 8 and laminectomy in 4

Summary

Introduction

Burst fractures are characterized by middle column disruption and may feature posterior wall retropulsion. Introduced vertebral augmentation techniques using intravertebral distraction devices, such as vertebral body stents and SpineJack, could be effective in fracture reduction and fixation and might obtain central canal clearance through ligamentotaxis. This study assesses the results of armed kyphoplasty using vertebral body stents or SpineJack in traumatic, osteoporotic, and neoplastic burst fractures with respect to vertebral body height restoration and correction of posterior wall retropulsion

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion