Injection Of Polymethylmethacrylate Research Articles

A New Method of Partial Screw Augmentation in Sheep Vertebrae In Vitro

Partial screw augmentation was carried out by the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) through the novel tap into the bone tissue in sheep vertebrae in vitro. Biomechanical tests and microcomputerized tomography analysis were done. To evaluate the stability of the screw and the interface between the bone and the screw in partial screw augmentation. Augmentation of the pedicle screw with PMMA improves screw stability significantly. However, it results in the full envelopment of the screw by PMMA and the formation of a full "screw-PMMA-bone" interface, which may increase the difficulties in screw removal. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a novel method to augment screw fixation, which avoids full wrapping of PMMA around the screw and facilitates screw removal. We designed a novel tap with an inner hollow and the multiple lateral apertures. A total of 78 fresh adult sheep lumbar vertebrae were randomly divided into 3 groups. No screw augmentation was performed in the control group. The pilot hole was filled with PMMA in the full screw augmentation group, whereas PMMA was injected through the tap into the bone tissue in the partial screw augmentation group. Pedicle screws were ultimately inserted into all the holes. Axial pullout tests, cyclic bending tests, and microcomputerized tomography analysis were carried out 24 hours after screw fixation. Both partial screw augmentation and full screw augmentation caused significant increase in pedicle screw stability compared with the control group in both the axial pullout tests and the cyclic bending resistance tests. Partial screw augmentation resulted in the formation of a partial "screw-bone" interface and a partial screw-PMMA-bone interface, which seems like 3 anchors or roots extending and fixing in the bone tissue in a cross section of the interface. It was obviously different from the complete screw-PMMA-bone interface with a complete PMMA mantle around the screw in the full screw augmentation group. Our proof-of-concept study showed that partial screw augmentation could enhance pedicle screw fixation strength, avoided the full surrounding of the PMMA around the screw, and generated a partial screw-PMMA-bone and a partial screw-bone interface. Partial screw augmentation may be a potential method to augment pedicle screw stability.

Direct injection of polymethylmethacrylate to augment pedicle screw fixation for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures

Objective To explore clinical outcomes of direct injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to augment pedicle screw fixation for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. Methods From January 2009 to February 2010, 14 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture underwent spinal decompression and instrumentation with PMMA augmentation of pedicle screw by direct injection. They were 9 men and 5 women, aged from SO to 72 years (average, 61 years). The clinical outcomes were evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Frankel scale. Radiologic findings were documented to assess postoperative internal fixation. Results All but one of the patients obtained a mean follow-up of 18. 4 months (from 6 to 22 months). The mean VAS scores of the patients improved from 7. 9 to 1. 2 points (P < 0. 01). Postoperatively, Frankel grading for the 7 patients with neurologic deficit improved by 1. 2 grades. Totally 54 of the 58 screws were augmented with PMMA. There was neither neurologic deterioration nor symptomatic cement leakage after surgery. X-ray plain films revealed no screw loosening, pullout or bright lines around screws. On average,kyphotic deformity was improved from 21. 8° preoperatively to 10. 3° postoperatively (P <0. 01), and returned to 14. 3° at the final follow-up. The average loss of kyphosis correction was 4°. Conclusion Pedicle screw fixation after vertebral augmentation with PMMA by direct injection can gain a satisfactory clinical outcome for patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Fracture fixation, internal; Polymethylmethacrylate

Experimental study of percutaneous vertebroplasty with a novel bone void filling container system

To investigate vertebral augmentation with a novel reticulate bone filling container system by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) injection in cadaveric simulated vertebral compressive fracture and explore the effect of reticulate bone filling container on cement distribution controlling within vertebral body and the restoration of biomechanical properties after augmentation. A total of 28 freshly frozen human vertebrae specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups. After the measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral height, each vertebra received an axle load by a MTS (material testing system) machine to test the initial strength and stiffness. Subsequently a simultaneous compressive fracture model was created to measure the stiffness and height of fractured vertebrae. Then the augmentation procedure was performed. Afterward the biomechanical properties and the vertebral height were similarly measured as pre-operatively. The expansion of bone filling container and the distribution of cement within vertebral body were morphologically observed by crossing the specimens in sagittal midline and also integrated with the radiographic results. Stiffness was significantly restored comparing with that of fractured level (P < 0.05). And the bipedicular groups had better restoration results than the unipedicular groups. The strength and height of specimens significantly increased after the augmentation procedure but without difference among groups. In axial radiographic view, the distribution of cement in vertebral body was oval or long oval-shaped in double-layer bone filling container groups while it was irregular in single-layer groups. After crossing, the double-layer version expanded well in vertebral body and could enwrap most of injected cement. There was only a little leakage near the vessel layer. But the single-layer version had a poor expansion and a large amount of cement leakage. This novel reticulate bone void filling container system with different layers may restore both the biomechanical properties and the height of fractured vertebrae. But, with the benefit of reducing cement leakage, a double-layer design can enwrap most of injected PMMA and has a brighter prospect of clinical application.

Occlusion of an Intraosseous Arteriovenous Malformation With Percutaneous Injection of Polymethylmethacrylate

Primary intraosseous arteriovenous malformations are rare. Many minimally invasive procedures can be considered preoperative steps and/or definitive treatment. The case reported regards a young woman with a voluminous arteriovenous extratroncular infiltrating malformation of the humerus. She underwent several treatments, but none of them was completely occlusive. The last treatment consisted of direct percutaneous puncture of the intraosseous alteration and injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is normally used in percutaneous vertebroplasty. We obtained complete occlusion of the humerus lytic lesion. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first case of intraosseous AVM treated by percutaneous injection of PMMA.

Cardiovascular changes after PMMA vertebroplasty in sheep: the effect of bone marrow removal using pulsed jet-lavage

Clinically, the displacement of intravertebral fat into the circulation during vertebroplasty is reported to lead to problems in elderly patients and can represent a serious complication, especially when multiple levels have to be treated. An in vitro study has shown the feasibility of removing intravertebral fat by pulsed jet-lavage prior to vertebroplasty, potentially reducing the embolization of bone marrow fat from the vertebral bodies and alleviating the cardiovascular changes elicited by pulmonary fat embolism. In this in vivo study, percutaneous vertebroplasty using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was performed in three lumbar vertebrae of 11 sheep. In six sheep (lavage group), pulsed jet-lavage was performed prior to injection of PMMA compared to the control group of five sheep receiving only PMMA vertebroplasty. Invasive recording of blood pressures was performed continuously until 60 min after the last injection. Cardiac output and arterial blood gas parameters were measured at selected time points. Post mortem, the injected cement volume was measured using CT and lung biopsies were processed for assessment of intravascular fat. Pulsed jet-lavage was feasible in the in vivo setting. In the control group, the injection of PMMA resulted in pulmonary fat embolism and a sudden and significant increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Pulsed jet-lavage prevented any cardiovascular changes and significantly reduced the severity of bone marrow fat embolization. Even though significantly more cement had been injected into the lavaged vertebral bodies, significantly fewer intravascular fat emboli were identified in the lung tissue. Pulsed jet-lavage prevented the cardiovascular complications after PMMA vertebroplasty in sheep and alleviated the severity of pulmonary fat embolism.

The Polymethylmethacrylate Effects on Auricle Conchal Cartilage: Report of 21 Cases

Both surgical and nonsurgical techniques, including soft tissue augmentation, are available to restore a youthful appearance to the face. Soft tissue augmentation with nonabsorbable fillers is increasingly important, as a growing number of patients are seeking aesthetic improvement without the downtime and cost of major surgical procedures. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), an injectable implant composed of a suspension of microspheres in different media, is one such soft tissue filler. Because the application of PMMA into the pericartilage of the ear is becoming a more common practice among plastic surgeons, the authors offer a systematic analysis of its effects. They believe this information to be of paramount importance to prevent injuries and deformities. Twenty-one patients who presented to the lead author's clinic with prominent ears during a period of 16 months between 2007 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The authors analyzed PMMA's effects on each patient's ear shell cartilage, which was extracted during correction without causing any kind of injury or deformity to the participants in this study. The histopathologic study from the excised skin and cartilage samples showed a granulomatous inflammation in all patients. There was no association between the incidence of tissue alterations and the mean length of PMMA on the conchal cartilage. The potential consequences of PMMA injection in close proximity to cartilage cannot be predicted and the possibility of myxomatous cartilage degeneration is a serious potential adverse event because it can cause permanent deformities of the cartilaginous skeleton.

A Case of Lumbar Metastasis of Choriocarcinoma Masquerading as an Extraosseous Extension of Vertebral Hemangioma

We report here on an uncommon case of metastatic choriocarcinoma to the lung, brain and lumbar spine. A 33-year-old woman was admitted to the pulmonary department with headache, dyspnea and hemoptysis. There was a history of cesarean section due to intrauterine fetal death at 37-weeks gestation and this occurred 2 weeks before admission to the pulmonary department. The radiological studies revealed a nodular lung mass with hypervascularity in the left upper lobe and also a brain parenchymal lesion in the parietal lobe with marginal bleeding and surrounding edema. She underwent embolization for the lung lesion, which was suspected to be an arteriovenous malformation according to the pulmonary arteriogram. Approximately 10 days after discharge from the pulmonary department, she was readmitted due to back pain and progressive paraparesis. The neuroradiological studies revealed a hypervascular tumor occupying the entire L3 vertebral body and pedicle, and the tumor extended to the epidural area. She underwent embolization of the hypervascular lesion of the lumbar spine, and after which injection of polymethylmethacrylate in the L3 vertebral body, total laminectomy of L3, subtotal removal of the epidural mass and screw fixation of L2 and L4 were performed. The result of biopsy was a choriocarcinoma.

PULMONARY MICROEMBOLI AS A RESULT OF COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT

INTRODUCTION: Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer with multiple uses including orthopedic and cosmetic surgeries. We present a case that involves subcutaneous injections of PMMA for cosmetic enhancement resulting in pulmonary microemboli.

Screw Placement and Osteoplasty Under Computed Tomographic–Fluoroscopic Guidance in a Case of Advanced Metastatic Destruction of the Iliosacral Joint

We present a case of combined surgical screw placement and osteoplasty guided by computed tomography-fluoroscopy (CTF) in a 68-year-old man with unilateral osteolytic destruction and a pathological fracture of the iliosacral joint due to a metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. The patient experienced intractable lower back pain that was refractory to analgesia. After transarterial particle and coil embolization of the tumor-feeding vessels in the angiography unit, the procedure was performed under general anesthesia by an interdisciplinary team of interventional radiologists and trauma surgeons. Under intermittent single-shot CTF, two K wires were inserted into the left iliosacral joint from a lateral transiliac approach at the S1 level followed by two self-tapping surgical screws. Continuous CTF was used for monitoring of the subsequent polymethylmethacrylate injection through two vertebroplasty cannulas for further stabilization of the screw threads within the osteolytic sacral ala. Both the screw placement and cement injection were successful, with no complications occurring during or after the procedure. With additional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and opioid medication, the patient reported a marked decrease in his lower back pain and was able to move independently again at the 3-month follow-up assessment. In our patient with intolerable back pain due to tumor destruction and consequent pathological fracture of the iliosacral joint, CTF-guided iliosacral screw placement combined with osteoplasty was successful with respect to joint stabilization and a reduction in the need for analgesic therapy.

Balancing Science and Informed Choice in Decisions about Vertebroplasty

Worldwide there are approximately 1.4 million persons with vertebral compression fractures.1 In the United States, there are approximately 750,000; only one third receive treatment.2 Prevalence estimates are imprecise because of heterogeneity in how vertebral fracture is defined.3 Annualized direct care expenditures for osteoporotic fractures in the United States were estimated to range from $12 billion to $18 billion in 2002.2 Several treatments (e.g., bed rest, bracing, and pain medications) have been designed to foster pain relief and allow for increased activities. Percutaneous vertebroplasty — the injection of polymethylmethacrylate directly into the vertebral compression fracture — has emerged as a treatment . . .

Complications after Polymethylmethacrylate Injections

Complications after Polymethylmethacrylate Injections

The effect of pulsed jet lavage in vertebroplasty on injection forces of PMMA bone cement: an animal study.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty, comprising of the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into vertebral bodies, is an efficient procedure to stabilize osteoporotic compression fractures as well as other weakening lesions. Besides fat embolism, cement leakage is considered to be one of the major and most severe complications during percutaneous vertebroplasty. The viscosity of the PMMA during injection plays a key role in this context. It was shown in vitro that the best way to lower the risk of cement leakage is to inject the cement at higher viscosity, which is requires high injection forces. Injection forces can be reduced by applying a newly developed lavage technique as it was shown in vitro using human cadaver vertebrae. The purpose of this study was to prove the in vitro results in an in vivo model. The investigation was incorporated in an animal study that was performed to evaluate the cardiovascular reaction on cement augmentation using the lavage technique. Injection forces were measured with instrumentation for 1 cc syringes, additionally acquiring plunger displacement. Averaged injection forces measured, ranged from 12 to 130 N and from 28 to 140 N for the lavage group and the control group, respectively. Normalized injection forces (by viscosity and injection speed) showed a trend to be lower for the lavage group in comparison to the control group (P = 0.073). In conclusion, the clinical relevance on the investigated lavage technique concerning lowering injection forces was only shown by trend in the performed animal study. However, it might well be that the effect is more pronounced for osteoporotic vertebral bodies.

Clinical investigations of polymethylmethacrylate cement viscosity during vertebroplasty and related in vitro measurements

Percutaneous vertebroplasty, comprising an injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into vertebral bodies, is a practical procedure for the stabilization of osteoporotic compression fractures as well as other weakening lesions. Cement leakage is considered to be one of the major and most severe complications during percutaneous vertebroplasty. The viscosity of the material plays a key role in this context. In order to enhance the safety for the patient, a rheometer system was developed to measure the cement viscosity intraoperatively. For this development, it is of great importance to know the proper viscosity to start the procedure determined by experienced surgeons and the relation between the time period when different injection devices are used and the cement viscosity. The purpose of the study was to investigate the viscosity ranges for different injection systems during conventional vertebroplasty. Clinically observed viscosity values and related time periods showed high scattering. In order to get a better understanding of the clinical observations, cement viscosity during hardening at different ambient temperatures and by simulation of the body temperature was investigated in vitro. It could be concluded, that the direct viscosity assessment with a rheometer during vertebroplasty can help clinicians to define a lower threshold viscosity and thereby decrease the risk of leakage and make adjustments to their injection technique in real time. Secondly, the acceleration in hardening of PMMA-based cements at body temperature can be useful in minimizing leakages by addressing them with a short injection break.

Use of percutaneous kyphoplasty to treat painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in solid tumors

e20568 Background: Vertebral compression fractures are a major source of morbidity in metastatic carcinoma. Kyphoplasty involves inflation of a balloon for painful kyphotic deformity restoring the vertebral body to its original height and creating a cavity for percutaneous injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Contraindications include epidural spinal cord compression. Although it is FDA approved for cancer-associated VCF most of the data is in the myeloma population. Methods: We retrospectively assessed by electronic medical records the safety and efficacy of kyphoplasties performed by the orthopedic spine service in a single institution between 12/03 and 2/08. We identified those patients who had kyphoplasty as the only spine procedure and excluded those patients with incomplete documentation of pain scores. Comparison was made between patients selected for pathologic compression fractures and benign compression fractures secondary to trauma or osteoporosis. Results: Review of 447 consecutive orthopedic spine cases identified 40 kyphoplasty patients, 30 of which met the inclusion criteria - 21 with benign compression fractures secondary to osteoporosis/trauma and 9 with malignant disease (3 breast CA, 2 lung, 1 cervix, 1 RCC, 2 myeloma). 49 kyphoplasties and 23 concurrent spine biopsies were performed in this group. Median age was in the cancer group was 55 (37–81) vs. 68(41–93) in benign group. One patient had prior radiation in the cancer group. The average preoperative visual analog pain score was 7 (range 3–9) and postoperative pain score was 2.0 (0–9) in the cancer group. The average preoperative visual analog pain score 6.8 (0–9) and post-operative score was 0.8 (0–4) in the benign group. Most procedures did not require general anesthesia. There were no reported PMMA extravasations, and no hematologic or neurologic complications in either group. Conclusions: Kyphoplasty provided marked pain relief in patients with VCF secondary to solid tumors and myeloma. The results are comparable to non-cancer population in safety and efficacy, and are feasible in selected cancer patients with pain due to pathologic compression fractures. [Table: see text]

Polymethylmethacrylate Facial Implant: A Successful Personal Experience in Brazil for More Than 9 Years

Synthetic permanent fillers for soft-tissue augmentation have acquired an important role in cosmetic improvement of patients with facial aging, facial atrophic scars, or lipoatrophy leading to facial defects. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a filler introduced to the market as one option for long-lasting treatment. PMMA microspheres are purified, and the particles are larger than 20 microm. The product used as a filler has proven to be safe, effective, and long lasting. To determine the efficacy and safety of PMMA as a facial filler. Two hundred sixty-six patients (aged 17-72; 154 women) received injections of PMMA to correct facial defects. The number of sessions ranged from one to four, with an interval of 40 to 60 days between applications. Seventy-nine subjects (30%) had facial atrophy related to HIV infection, 159 (60%) had photoaging signs with deep wrinkles and atrophic areas, 25 (9%) had depressive scars from acne process, and three (1%) had residual depressions from lupus profundus. The results were satisfactory and long lasting. Side effects were transient. No late complications were observed. PMMA used for the treatment of atrophy, depressions, and facial wrinkles has been shown to be effective, long lasting, safe, and gratifying to patients and physicians.

Sacroplasty in a cadaveric trial: comparison of CT and fluoroscopic guidance with and without balloon assistance

Sacral insufficiency fractures can cause severe, debilitating pain to patients concerned. The incidence of this fracture type correlates with the appearance of osteoporosis in the elderly population. A polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement injection procedure called sacroplasty has been recently described as an optional method for the treatment of this fracture type. However, the correct cement placement in the complex anatomical structure of the sacrum is a surgical challenge. The aim of the study is to compare the precision, safety, and radiation exposure of standard multiplanar fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT) guidance for PMMA application to the sacrum using both balloon-assisted sacroplasty and conventional sacroplasty. A controlled experimental investigation in a human cadaver trial has been performed. Two imaging and two application modalities to monitor percutaneous PMMA injection to the sacrum were examined. The application forms were randomized from side to side of the pelvis. We found less cement extravasation in the CT-guided groups, but also a significant higher radiation exposure (P < 0.05) by using CT guidance. The conventional fluoroscopy-guided sacroplasty revealed the shortest procedure time (incision to closure time) of all treatment groups (P < 0.01). These findings show no difference regarding cement extravasation between ballon-assisted and conventional sacroplasty. Further, in comparison to fluoroscopy-assisted technique, the CT-guided cement injection seems to decrease the risk of cement extravasation, irrespective of the use of an additional balloon assistance. However, we have to consider a greater radiation exposure using CT guidance. Further investigations will proof the suitability in the normal course of clinical life.

Expanded Median Forehead Flap and Abbé Flap for Nasal and Upper Lip Reconstruction After Complications of Polymethylmethacrylate

Despite the benefits from the minimally invasive technique, complications may occur, raising doubts about the safety of polymethylmethacrylate as an injectable filler material. The authors report their treatment of a patient from another institution with necrosis involving full-thickness nasal skin and upper lip after injection of polymethylmethacrylate in the nasolabial folds and nose for augmentation. An expanded median forehead flap was used to reconstruct the nose, and an Abbé flap was used for the upper lip. The flaps and the skin expander allowed reconstruction with correct texture, color, and dimensions, producing a good aesthetic and functional outcome.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Under Three-Dimensional Radiography Guidance -Technical Note-

An accurate, safe, and convenient method for performing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) under three-dimensional (3D) radiography guidance has been developed. Six PVP procedures were performed in 5 elderly stroke patients complaining of back pain caused by compressive fracture which interfered with further rehabilitation. T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed low intensity and T(2)-weighted imaging showed high intensity in the fractured vertebral body. The most suitable trajectory for passing the lateral mass of the lamina and pedicle, and reaching the vertebral body was identified on the axial view of 3D radiography. A 13-gauge needle was advanced appropriately in all patients, and improvement of back pain was obtained after injection of polymethylmethacrylate. No major complications occurred in any patient. PVP under 3D radiography guidance is an accurate, safe, and convenient method.

Percutaneous Femoroplasty, Ileoplasty and Sacroplasty in the Treatment of Bone Lytic Lesions in Advanced Multiple Myeloma Patients

Wide experience have been reported on vertebroplasty in multiple myeloma patients. Much less experience is available for the treatment of osteolytic lesions in other critical sites. The aim of this report is to evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy of transcutaneous femoroplasty, ileoplasty and sacroplasty in advanced multiple myeloma patients with severe osteolytic lesions. From November 2004 to May 2008 8 consecutive advanced myeloma patients (3 males and 5 females, median age 75 years, range 50–78) with pelvis and femora bone lytic lesions entered the study. They received percutaneous bone-cement injection with a solution of 8 to 22 polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into supracetabular (4 cases), sacral (2 cases) and femoral bone cavities (2 cases). Lesion approach was performed by 10 g bone biopsy needle under Computed Tomography (CT) and fluoroscopic guidance. In two cases, characterized by large extraosseous lesions, tumour termoablation with radiofrequency was done before PMMA injection. Procedures were performed under local anaesthesia, conscious sedation and antibiotic profilaxis with intravenous ceftriaxone in all patients. Immediate complications were studied with post procedure CT control. Efficacy was evaluated in term of pain relief and mobility recovery. Pain and mobility were assessed by visual analogue scale score (VAS) system (grading 0–10) and functional mobility score system (grading 1–4) respectively (according with “CT-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty: personal experience in the treatment of osteoporotic fractures and dorsolumbar metastases” Radiol med (2008) 113:114–133). Evaluation was performed before and at determined time points after the procedure (at 24 hours, one week, one month and every 3 months). Technical success was achieved in all patients. No complication was recorded. Before the osteoplasty pain assessment by VAS score showed a median value of 6 (range 4–8) and all patients were on analgesic therapy with oppioids and NSAIDs before the procedure. The VAS score decreased to median value 0 (range 0–1.5) within 24 hours after the procedure. The score remained unmodified during the rest of follow-up (median 17.5 months range 2–43). Seven patients were pain free (VAS score 0). Persistence of mild pain was documented in a single patient (score 1,5). Functional mobility score before osteoplasty was 4 in all patients (all were unable to autonomous deambulation). Score became 1 in all (autonomous mobility) within one week after procedure and remained stable during the follow up. Percutaneous osteoplasty is a feasible and safe procedure in patients affected by multiple myeloma with pelvis and femora osteolytic painful lesions. The methylmetacrylate injection is a minimally invasive procedure providing immediate improvement of quality of life. This intervention can contribute to treatment of the multiple myeloma in association with conventional therapy.

Combined CT and fluoroscopic guidance of balloon kyphoplasty versus fluoroscopy-only procedures

To evaluate the performance of combined (computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopic) guidance of balloon kyphoplasty in comparison to fluoroscopic guidance alone. Forty-one kyphoplasties were performed between January 2005 and March 2006 according to two different protocols. Study group 1 consisted of 20 consecutive patients with 20 balloon kyphoplasty procedures under dual guidance (CT scan and fluoroscopy) for osteoporotic or traumatic vertebral fractures. Study group 2 consisted of 21 consecutive patients in whom kyphoplasty was performed with fluoroscopy alone. Visualization of the pedicles, the final of the balloon position, and cement distribution were evaluated(1-poor, 2-intermediate, 3-good). Combined use of CT and fluoroscopy (group 1) was superior in identifying the pedicles (100% versus 66.7%, p = 0.009) and balloon placement (100% versus 71.4%, p = 0.02) but not in monitoring of cement distribution within the vertebral body (100% versus 90.5%, p = 0.49). The difference between the two groups was more pronounced in the thoracic spine than in the lumbar spine. CT/fluoroscopic guidance of kyphoplasty combines safe CT-guided insertion of the osteointroducers and balloons as well as fluoroscopic real-time monitoring of polymethylmethacrylate injection.