Effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty with high-viscosity bone cement in treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) with high-viscosity bone cement in treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Methods This study involved 176 patients with severe OVCF treated by PVP with high-viscosity bone cement between January 2013 and January 2015. There were 61 male and 115 female patients, aged 58-78 years (mean, 67.7 years). Ninety-four patients were injured in a fall, 31 patients in a bumping condition, and 61 patients with no obvious causes. A total of 204 vertebrae were involved, including 23 T10, 22 T11, 49 T12, 43 L1 and 29 L2. Thirty patients suffered vertebral posterior wall damage. All the vertebral bodies were compressed more than 2/3. Vertebral height, kyphotic Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded. Bone cement filling and leakage were detected. Results Bone cement leakage was detected in 64 patients, with a leakage rate of 36.3%.Seven patients were found with cement leakage in paravertebral veins, 38 patients in intervertebral spaces, and 19 patients in prevertebral soft tissues. Five patients with back pain got partial remission. Four patients experienced burning sensation in the lower extremity 5 minutes after bone cement filling and were relieved 10 minutes later. No severe adverse events were observed, including spinal cord compression, epidural hematoma, pulmonary infection, pulmonary embolism, bedsores, and cerebrovascular accident. After operation, improvements were observed in ODI [(31.73±7.98)% vs. (75.40±8.17)%] and VAS [(2.33±0.91)points vs. (7.23 ±0.88) points] (P<0.05). Conclusion PVP with high-viscosity bone cement can significantly relieve pain and improve motor function and hence is effective in the treatment of patients with severe OVCF. Key words: Osteoporotic fractures; Vertebroplasty; Complications