Percutaneous vertebroplasty: indications, contraindications, and technique

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an emerging interventional technique in which surgical polymethylmethacrylate is injected via a large bore needle into a vertebral body under imaging guidance. This technique provides increased strength and pain relief in vertebrae weakened by a variety of bone diseases. The current indication for vertebroplasty is intractable non-radicular pain caused by compression fractures due to osteoporosis, myeloma, metastases and aggressive vertebral haemangioma. Contraindications include bleeding disorder, unstable fracture and lack of definable vertebral collapse. Our technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty is illustrated in this pictorial review.