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REVIEW OF EIGHT CASES OF PERCUTANEOUS PMMA CEMENT VERTEBROPLASTY FOR COMPRESSION FRACTURES OF THE THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINE



Abstract

The use of PMMA cement vertebroplasty for the treatment of severe disabling focal back pain as a result of osteoporotic compression fractures is well established. However clinical experience of this treatment is limited in New Zealand. This study reports a technique and indications for this treatment and early clinical results.

A prospective study of eight cases of severe disabling focal back pain due to osteoporotic compression fractures was undertaken. These were treated with percutaneous transpedicle vertebroplasty. The patient’s pain was assessed before and after the treatment using a visual analogue pain scale. All eight patients reported an improvement in pain immediately and at one month following the procedure. A sustained improvement in pain followed the vertebroplasty.

This is consistent with other case reports in the literature although in this study the response appears to be less dramatic than that reported in other series.

Correspondence should be addressed to the editorial secretary: Associate Professor Jean-Claude Theis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.