Percutaneous CT-Guided Vertebroplasty in the Management of Osteoporotic Fractures and Dorsolumbar Metastases

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure consisting of an injection of acrylic cement into a vertebral body to reinforce the compressed segment and achieve pain relief. The first PVP was performed in Europe in 1984 and nearly a decade later (1993) in North America. Initially used to treat aggressive vertebral hemangioma, PVP was later extended to other painful vertebral lesions caused by metastases, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, myeloma, and other less common conditions (histocytosis, osteogenesis imperfecta). Since the earliest experiences, PVP has undergone numerous modifications; this has led to better results, shorter procedure times, and fewer complications. We present our personal experience to describe the technique applied and report the results achieved in more than 100 patients who had PVP performed under CT guidance.