Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Fractures with Posterior Body Involved in Elderly Patients

Özet

AIM: To present the results of vertebroplasty for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit.MATERIAL and METHODS: Twelve patients (aged ≥65 years) with thoracolumbar fractures but without neurological deficitsunderwent vertebroplasty. In all fracture cases, the anterior and middle columns of the vertebrae were affected and the canal wasmildly compressed. To assess the clinical symptoms and the effects of the procedure, patient mobility and pain were assessed priorto the procedure and at 1 day and 3 months after the procedure.RESULTS: Improvements in pain and mobility were observed immediately after vertebroplasty in all patients. These results wereobserved for 3 months. Significant improvements were also noted at 1 day and 3 months after vertebroplasty. Pain was reduced by atleast 4 levels after 3 months. No co-morbidities were observed. However, computed tomography revealed polymethylmethacrylateleakage through the endplate fracture site into the disc space or paravertebral space in four vertebrae and minimal intracanalleakage through the fracture line in one patient.CONCLUSION: Vertebroplasty is assumed to be contraindicated in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures withposterior body involvement. However, this procedure was successfully performed to safely treat such fractures without causingneurological deficits. Percutaneous vertebroplasty may be an alternative method for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures thatprevents major surgical complications. Moreover, it helps patients achieve early mobilization and pain relief.