Percutaneous vertebroplasty: history, technique and current perspectives

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pain Management

Background:

• Persistent pain from fractured vertebral bodies significantly impacts patient quality of life.
• Conservative therapies may not always provide adequate relief for vertebral fractures.
• Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an established treatment in some regions, with emerging guidelines in others.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for treating vertebral body fractures.
• To highlight the indications for vertebroplasty, including osteoporotic fractures and malignant collapse.
• To provide an overview of the procedure and its context within current medical practice.

Main Methods:

• Percutaneous vertebroplasty involves the trans-pedicular insertion of a needle into the vertebral body.
• Bone cement is subsequently injected into the fractured vertebral body.
• The procedure is performed under imaging guidance.

Main Results:

• Percutaneous vertebroplasty is demonstrated to be a safe and effective technique.
• The procedure successfully alleviates persistent pain associated with vertebral body fractures.
• It offers a viable alternative for patients resistant to conservative management.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a recommended treatment for painful vertebral body fractures.
• The technique is beneficial for osteoporotic fractures and may aid in malignant collapse cases.
• Availability of NICE guidelines supports its adoption and standardization.