Percutaneous vertebroplasty: the radiologist's point of view

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), usually caused by osteoporosis, is a disabling pathology associated with back pain, low quality of life and high costs. We report a retrospective study of 852 patients who underwent Percutaneous Vertebroplasty (PVP) in our department, for treatment of refractory back pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

To evaluate the safety and the helpfulness of the PVP in vertebral osteoporotic fractures treatment and, particularly on durable pain reduction, mobility improvement and analgesic drugs need.

Follow-up analysis was made through a questionnaire filled by the patients before and after PVP (1-6 months), designed to measure pain, ambulation capacity, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and analgesic drugs administration.

A statistically significant difference between visual analogue scale (VAS) values before and after treatment has been observed. No difference between VAS values were observed at 1 and 6 months post-treatment period. The treated vertebrae number did not influence post-treatment VAS values during all the follow-up. Ambulation capacity and the ability to perform ADL have been improved following PVP. Patients also reported significant reduction in administration of medications after PVP.

PVP is a safe and useful procedure in painful osteoporotic VCFs treatment, able to reduce pain, improve patients mobility and decrease analgesic drugs need.