Intervertebral Bridging Ossification After Percutaneous Kyphoplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is effective in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Intervertebral bridging ossification can sometimes be detected after surgery, but studies related to its formation mechanism and its influence on outcome are few.

We reviewed patients' radiologic images and found 7 patients in whom intervertebral bridging ossification developed after PKP. Their personal and clinical information was recorded. The 7 patients had an average age of 63.43 ± 4.79 years. Injured levels included L1 (1 patients) and L2 (1 patient). GeneX and PMMA cement were respectively applied. Both the Cobb angle and the VAS scores were significantly improved after surgery, but all surgical vertebrae showed recollapse combined with larger Cobb angle at the last follow-up visits. In 1 patient the new-onset T11 fracture developed 29 months after surgery.

We deemed that spinal degeneration, mechanical instability, bone cement, and fracture pattern are all potential promoting factors for intervertebral bridging ossification. Solid bridging ossification may increase local spinal stability, but it also increases the risk of adjacent vertebral fractures.