Minimal invasive stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods and preinterventional diagnostics

Purpose. Minimal invasive stabilizations represent new alternative for the treatment of osreoporotic compression fractures. Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are two methods to enhance the strength of osteoporotic vertebral bodies by the means of cements application Material and methods. Vertebroplasty is the older and technically easier method. The balloon kyphoplasty is the newer and more expensive method which does not only improve pain but also restore, the sagittal profile of the spine. Results. By balloon kyphoplasty the height of fractured vertebral bodies could be increased up to 90% and the wedge decreased from 12 to 7 degrees. Pain was reduced from 7,2 to 2,5 points. The Oswestry disability index decreased from 60 to 26 points. This effects persisted over a period of two years. Cement leakage occurred in only 2% of vertebral bodies. Fractures of adjacent vertebral bodies were found in 11%. Conclusion. Good preinterventional diagnostics and intraoperative imaging are necessary to make the balloon kyphoplasty a successful application.