Reduced Radiation Exposure and Puncture Time of Percutaneous Transpedicular Puncture with Real-Time Ultrasound Volume Navigation

Abstract

The present study introduced ultrasound volume navigation (UVN) to reduce the radiation exposure and puncture time of percutaneous transpedicular puncture in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who had undergone PVP or PKP guided by UVN or fluoroscopy from September 2017 to December2017. We enrolled 10 patients (6 women, 4 men) with 24 pedicles involved in the present study. Significant reductions in fluoroscopy frequency (2.58 vs. 17.42; P < 0.01), exposure time (2.36 vs. 15.69 seconds; P < 0.01), and puncture time (4.13 vs. 19.21 minutes; P < 0.01) for each pedicle were observed in the UVN group compared with the fluoroscopy group. Obvious correlations among fluoroscopy frequency, exposure time, and puncture time for each pedicle were observed (P < 0.01). The visual analog scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index were both significantly improved after the procedures. All patients achieved excellent or good clinical outcomes. No complications were observed in any patient. UVN could obviously reduce the radiation exposure and puncture time of percutaneous transpedicular puncture in PVP and PKP.