Treatmeat Of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures By Balloon Kyphoplasty

Objective: To evaluate the initial efficacy and safety of Kyphoplasty in the treatment of aged Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods: From December 2004 to December 2006, percutaneous single transpedicular kyphoplasty with single balloon was performed in 30 patients, who presented with painful vertebral compression fractures. In the group. there were 19 vertebrae of 13 males and 25 vertebrae of 17 females, and the average age of the patients was 72 years with a range of 66 to 83 years. 44 ostesporotic vertebral compression fractures,which from T7 to L5,were treated. CT scan showed the posterior vertebral wall intact in all patients. MRI displayed low signal on T1WI ,hign signal on T2WI and high signal on depression fat T2WI of the 40 vertebrae of 27 patients; MRI displayed equal signal on T1WI and T2WI of the 4 vertebrae of 3 patients. Results: Operations in all the 30 patients were completed smoothy, and immediate relief of their back pain was achieved within 48 hours postoperatively, and were discharged in 4-12 days. The mean duration of follow - up was 14 months (6-24months). Visual analogue scale (AVS) pain score improved from (8.6±0.2) preoperatively to (2.0±0.3) postoperatively and was (2.1±0.2) at last follow up (p<0.01). Oswestry score decrease from (43±1.12) preoperatively to (20±1.19)postoperatively and was (21±1.23)at last follow up (p<0.01). The height of anterior and middle column vertebra increased from (15.1±1.8)mm preoperatively to (24.3±2.1) mm postoperatively and was (24.4±1.8)mm at last follow up (p<0.05). Cobb angles wre corrected from21.2°±4.3°preoperatively to 10.1°±3.2°postoperatively and was 10.2°±3.3°at last follow up (p<0.05). NO cement leakage was found on X-rays,except one patient with less cement at the anterior vertebral edge ,but no clinical sympton occurred.ALL the patients were available at the final follow-up,the mean period was 14 months (range, 6-24 months). Conclusion: Kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture can restore the heights of fractured vertebra, achieve immediate pain relief and functional improvement as well as minimize the incidence of cement leakage. Kyphoplasty is a safe and effective method for treating osteoporotic VCR...