Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
No Results
No Results
processing….
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided therapy used to relieve pain from a vertebral body fracture. It has been used for osteoporotic or malignant fractures. Initially, the major indication was treatment of spinal hemangiomas, as described in 1987 by Galibert et al. [1] With experience, other indications have emerged. Vertebroplasty can increase patient mobility, decrease narcotic needs, and prevent further vertebral collapse.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) usually involves percutaneous injection of a cement, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), into the vertebral bodies. Occasionally, PMMA has been placed manually into vertebral lesions during open surgical operations.
For excellent patient education resources, see eMedicineHealth’s patient education article Vertebral Compression Fracture.
The thoracic spine is typically made up of 12 vertebrae. These vertebrae have a body, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints (see the image below). Additionally, they have prominent lateral processes that form the articulation with the paired 12 ribs on either side. The 12 vertebrae, 24 ribs, and sternum together form the chest cavity, allowing negative-pressure respiration and providing protection of the chest wall. The thoracic spine is highly immobile.
The lumbar spine is the next mobile segment of the spine, typically consisting of 5 large vertebrae with classic features, including body, pedicles, lamina, spinous processes, facet joints, and lateral processes (see the image below). The lumbar spine is mobile with all articulations, contributing to flexion-extension, bending, and rotation. The lumbar spine allows truncal mobility.
For more information about the relevant anatomy, see Osteology (Bone Anatomy) and Lumbar Spine Anatomy.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is indicated for painful osteoporotic or neoplastic vertebral compression fractures refractory to medical therapy.
Osteoporosis is complicated by vertebral fracture that occurs spontaneously or is caused by minor trauma (see Osteoporosis and Spinal Cord Injury for more details). In the United States, the incidence of compression fractures is more than 500,000 patients per year, which is higher than the incidence of hip fractures. Lifetime risk of osteoporotic vertebral fracture is 16% in women and 5% in men. [2, 3]
These vertebral fractures are often highly painful and are treated with immobilization, analgesic drugs, and specific treatment of osteoporosis. Immobilization increases demineralization. Initial symptoms tend to disappear in 4-6 weeks. In spite of long-term medical treatment, some patients have severe, persistent, incapacitating pain. Later consequences of vertebral fracture are reduced height, kyphosis, and chronic back pain.
Multiple retrospective and prospective studies have favorably compared vertebroplasty to medical management. The VERTOS study prospectively compared osteoporotic compression fracture treatment of 18 patients with vertebroplasty to 16 patients with optimal medical management. [4] This study found significant short-term improvement in pain relief and function in the vertebroplasty group. [4] These results were confirmed with the Vertos II larger prospective randomized trial (101 patients were treated with vertebroplasty and 101 were treated with conservative management). [5]
However, 2 widely discussed recent studies comparing vertebroplasty to sham procedures demonstrated no significant improvement with vertebroplasty. [6, 7] This mixed evidence has sparked considerable debate as to the appropriate role of this procedure.
In painful vertebral metastasis (ie, previously untreated), radiotherapy is useful in 70% of patients to alleviate spinal pain, but this effect is delayed and may require 2-6 weeks. Vertebroplasty is a palliative treatment that typically provides more immediate analgesia. [8]
Vertebroplasty has been used successfully in severe focal spinal pain with radiologically unaggressive vertebral (body) hemangioma.
Absolute contraindications [9]
Asymptomatic fracture
Active osteomyelitis of the target vertebra
Uncorrectable coagulopathy
Allergy to vertebroplasty cement or opacifying agent
Relative contraindications [9]
Significant central canal narrowing from retropulsion of bony fragment or epidural tumor
Ongoing systemic infection
Myelopathy or radiculopathy from fracture level
Multiple vertebroplasty kits are available. A Stryker precision delivery system costs approximately $600-700; a physician can customize it for $200. Materials include the following:
See the list below:
Needle, 6 in (DBMNJ1106-11G, MD Technologies)
PMMA cement (Howmedica Simplex)
Barium (opacifying agent) – Sterile barium sulfate, 6-g packets (Bryant Corporation)
Luer-Lok syringes, 1 mL
Confirm appropriate history and perform a brief physical examination to confirm the appropriateness of the procedure (of note, localizing tenderness on palpation is not associated with superior vertebroplasty response [10] ).
Review the patient’s record, including plain films and MRI, to identify the vertebra to be injected. Exclude significant central canal narrowing or signs of infection on MRI. Double check vertebral counting, particularly with thoracic lesions.
Obtain informed consent.
Procedure time varies from 30-120 minutes.
Conscious sedation (midazolam and fentanyl) and local anesthesia are used in almost all patients.
Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered.
Place the patient in the prone position.
Align posterior ribs to obtain a good lateral view.
On the anteroposterior (AP) view, find the obliquity that projects the pedicle over the upper outer third of the vertebral body. Mark this point.
A study was performed evaluating patient and operator radiation exposure during 11 vertebroplasty cases. Patient effective doses were estimated at 34mGy with average fluoroscopy times of 28 minutes (in comparison, a typical CT abdomen and pelvis effective dose is 8-14 mGy). Operator exposures were highest to the hands and chest, although there was a decrease in occupational dose by 76% with the use of mobile shielding. It was estimated that an operator could perform 150 procedures annually before exceeding annual dose constraints. [11]
Use lidocaine for local anesthesia. Use a spinal needle to anesthetize the periosteum.
Confirm proper needle path with AP and lateral fluoroscopic views.
For large pedicles (ie, lumbar, lower thoracic), use an 11-gauge needle; use a 13-gauge needle for smaller pedicles (ie, midthoracic).
While maintaining good back tension with a large clamp, use a sterile hammer to gently tap the needle. Direct the needle into the vertebral body, using AP and lateral views for verification.
See the list below:
For a unipedicular approach, advance needle into the anterior third of the central vertebral body.
For a bipedicular approach, advance needles into the midportion of the hemivertebrae.
A parapedicular approach may be considered as well.
Mix polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and barium sulfate (opacifying agent) as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Slowly inject this mixture until the vertebral body is well filled, making certain to stop before PMMA leaks posteriorly into the epidural area or significantly fills a vein.
Although many practitioners attempt to fill the vertebral body as completely as possible, note that pain relief is not associated with cement volume. [12]
Keep patients on bed rest for 1-2 hours.
Administer analgesics for postoperative pain and muscle relaxants for significant muscle spasms, as needed.
Ensure that the patient’s primary care physician is medically managing osteoporosis; if he or she is not, management must be instituted. Without systemic osteoporosis therapy, 20% of patients with a fracture develop a second fracture. [13] Treatment for osteoporosis includes DEXA scans, lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, exercise), dietary supplementation (calcium, vitamin D), and medical management (antireabsorbatives). [14] See Osteoporosis article for more details.
Chiras et al reported incidents and complications in 274 patients. [15] These complications were more common with malignant spinal tumor (10%) and vertebral hemangioma (2-5%) than with osteoporotic lesions (1-3%).
Major complications occur in < 1% of patients treated for osteoporosis-related compression fractures; minor complications occur in < 2% of these patients. In patients with neoplastic involvement, major complications occur in < 5% and minor complications occur in approximately 10%.
Complications include the following:
Neurologic defect (from central canal or neural foraminal narrowing)
Fracture of vertebra, rib, or sternum (from positioning on table or placement of needle)
Infection
Allergic reaction
Hemorrhage
If a patient experiences new radicular pain, a CT scan may show migration of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into the epidural venous plexus. New vertebral region pain may be evaluated with MRI to exclude adjacent fracture. Chest pain may be evaluated with a rib series or CT pulmonary angiogram to exclude rib fracture or pulmonary embolus. Severe back pain can indicate a fractured pedicle or transverse process, which is observed easily on CT scan. Paralysis has been reported but is very uncommon. Precautions should be taken while injecting above L1, with attention to the posterior vertebral body wall; do not allow PMMA to flow into the epidural venous plexus.
Reports are mixed as to whether vertebroplasty predisposes patients to develop additional vertebral fractures. [16]
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with promising results for the treatment of vertebral fracture. It provides significant pain relief with the potential for improving functional outcome.
Galibert P, Deramond H, Rosat P, Le Gars D. [Preliminary note on the treatment of vertebral angioma by percutaneous acrylic vertebroplasty]. Neurochirurgie. 1987. 33(2):166-8. [Medline].
Lips P. Epidemiology and predictors of fractures associated with osteoporosis. Am J Med. 1997 Aug 18. 103(2A):3S-8S; discussion 8S-11S. [Medline].
Tian QH, Wu CG, Xiao QP, He CJ, Gu YF, Wang T, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty of the entire thoracic and lumbar vertebrae for vertebral compression fractures related to chronic glucocorticosteriod use: case report and review of literature. Korean J Radiol. 2014 Nov. 15(6):797-801. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Voormolen MH, Mali WP, Lohle PN, Fransen H, Lampmann LE, van der Graaf Y, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty compared with optimal pain medication treatment: short-term clinical outcome of patients with subacute or chronic painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The VERTOS study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007 Mar. 28(3):555-60. [Medline].
Klazen CA, Lohle PN, de Vries J, Jansen FH, Tielbeek AV, Blonk MC, et al. Vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Vertos II): an open-label randomised trial. Lancet. 2010 Sep 25. 376(9746):1085-92. [Medline].
Buchbinder R, Osborne RH, Ebeling PR, Wark JD, Mitchell P, Wriedt C, et al. A randomized trial of vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 6. 361(6):557-68. [Medline].
Kallmes DF, Comstock BA, Heagerty PJ, Turner JA, Wilson DJ, Diamond TH, et al. A randomized trial of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic spinal fractures. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 6. 361(6):569-79. [Medline].
Allegretti L, Mavilio N, Fiaschi P, Bragazzi R, Pacetti M, Castelletti L, et al. Intra-operative vertebroplasty combined with posterior cord decompression. A report of twelve cases. Interv Neuroradiol. 2014 Oct 31. 20(5):583-90. [Medline]. [Full Text].
American College of Radiology: Practice Guideline for the Performance of Vertebroplasty. Available at http://etsad.fr/etsad/afficher_lien.php?id=3488.
Rad AE, Kallmes DF. Pain relief following vertebroplasty in patients with and without localizing tenderness on palpation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008 Oct. 29(9):1622-6. [Medline].
Fitousi NT, Efstathopoulos EP, Delis HB, Kottou S, Kelekis AD, Panayiotakis GS. Patient and staff dosimetry in vertebroplasty. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Nov 1. 31(23):E884-9; discussioin E890. [Medline].
Kaufmann TJ, Trout AT, Kallmes DF. The effects of cement volume on clinical outcomes of percutaneous vertebroplasty. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Oct. 27(9):1933-7. [Medline].
Lindsay R, Silverman SL, Cooper C, Hanley DA, Barton I, Broy SB, et al. Risk of new vertebral fracture in the year following a fracture. JAMA. 2001 Jan 17. 285(3):320-3. [Medline].
Kearns AE, Kallmes DF. Osteoporosis primer for the vertebroplasty practitioner: expanding the focus beyond needles and cement. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008 Nov. 29(10):1816-22. [Medline].
Chiras J, Depriester C, Weill A, et al. [Percutaneous vertebral surgery. Technics and indications]. J Neuroradiol. 1997 Jun. 24(1):45-59. [Medline].
Trout AT, Kallmes DF. Does vertebroplasty cause incident vertebral fractures? A review of available data. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Aug. 27(7):1397-403. [Medline].
Bostrom MP, Lane JM. Future directions. Augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral bodies. Spine. 1997 Dec 15. 22(24 Suppl):38S-42S. [Medline].
Cardon T, Hachulla E, Flipo RM, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty with acrylic cement in the treatment of a Langerhans cell vertebral histiocytosis. Clin Rheumatol. 1994 Sep. 13(3):518-21. [Medline].
Chiras J, Sola-Martinez MT, Weill A. [Percutaneous vertebroplasty]. Rev Med Interne. 1995. 16(11):854-9. [Medline].
Cortet B, Cotten A, Boutry N, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteolytic metastases or multiple myeloma. Rev Rhum Engl Ed. 1997 Mar. 64(3):177-83. [Medline].
Cortet B, Cotten A, Boutry N, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: an open prospective study. J Rheumatol. 1999 Oct. 26(10):2222-8. [Medline].
Cotten A, Dewatre F, Cortet B, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteolytic metastases and myeloma: effects of the percentage of lesion filling and the leakage of methyl methacrylate at clinical follow-up. Radiology. 1996 Aug. 200(2):525-30. [Medline].
Cotten A, Duquesnoy B. Vertebroplasty: current data and future potential. Rev Rhum Engl Ed. 1997 Nov. 64(11):645-9. [Medline].
Dean JR, Ison KT, Gishen P. The strengthening effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Clin Radiol. 2000 Jun. 55(6):471-6. [Medline].
Deramond H, Depriester C, Toussaint P. [Vertebroplasty and percutaneous interventional radiology in bone metastases: techniques, indications, contra-indications]. Bull Cancer Radiother. 1996. 83(4):277-82. [Medline].
Dudeney S, Lieberman I. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: an open prospective study. J Rheumatol. 2000 Oct. 27(10):2526. [Medline].
Gangi A, Kastler BA, Dietemann JL. Percutaneous vertebroplasty guided by a combination of CT and fluoroscopy. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1994 Jan. 15(1):83-6. [Medline].
Grados F, Depriester C, Cayrolle G, et al. Long-term observations of vertebral osteoporotic fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Dec. 39(12):1410-4. [Medline].
Jensen ME, Dion JE. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2000 Aug. 10(3):547-68. [Medline].
Kaemmerlen P, Thiesse P, Bouvard H, et al. [Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of metastases. Technic and results]. J Radiol. 1989 Oct. 70(10):557-62. [Medline].
Lee MJ, Dumonski M, Cahill P, Stanley T, Park D, Singh K. Percutaneous treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a meta-analysis of complications. Spine. 2009 May 15. 34(11):1228-32. [Medline].
Murphy KJ, Deramond H. Percutaneous vertebroplasty in benign and malignant disease [In Process Citation]. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2000 Aug. 10(3):535-45. [Medline].
Padovani B, Kasriel O, Brunner P, Peretti-Viton P. Pulmonary embolism caused by acrylic cement: a rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1999 Mar. 20(3):375-7. [Medline].
Patel G, Singh S, Singh M. Percutaneous vertebroplasty: minimally invasive procedure for vertebral fracture. Abstract presented at: AAPM Annual Meeting. 2001.
Rapado A. General management of vertebral fractures. Bone. 1996 Mar. 18(3 Suppl):191S-196S. [Medline].
Rousing R, Andersen MO, Jespersen SM, Thomsen K, Lauritsen J. Percutaneous vertebroplasty compared to conservative treatment in patients with painful acute or subacute osteoporotic vertebral fractures: three-months follow-up in a clinical randomized study. Spine. 2009 Jun 1. 34(13):1349-54. [Medline].
Singh M, Gallagher R, Mitch A. Percutaneous vertebroplasty. Osteoporosis Foundation Guidelines. 2001. In press.
Singh, S. Percutaneous vertebroplasty. In: Waldman SD, ed. Interventional Pain Management. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 2001:707-12.
Tamayo-Orozco J, Arzac-Palumbo P, Peon-Vidales H, et al. Vertebral fractures associated with osteoporosis: patient management. Am J Med. 1997 Aug 18. 103(2A):44S-48S; discussion 48S-50S. [Medline].
Trout AT, Kallmes DF, Gray LA, Goodnature BA, Everson SL, Comstock BA, et al. Evaluation of vertebroplasty with a validated outcome measure: the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2005 Nov-Dec. 26(10):2652-7. [Medline].
Manish K Singh, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Teaching Faculty for Pain Management and Neurology Residency Program, Hahnemann University Hospital, Drexel College of Medicine; Medical Director, Neurology and Pain Management, Jersey Institute of Neuroscience
Manish K Singh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Headache Society, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American Medical Association, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.
Justin A Siegal, MD Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Jorge E Mendizabal, MD Consulting Staff, Corpus Christi Neurology
Jorge E Mendizabal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, National Stroke Association, American Headache Society, Stroke Council of the American Heart Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Jashvant Patel, MD, to the development and writing of this article.
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Research & References of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
Source
0 Comments