Abstract
Background
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a well established procedure with respect to improved pain and function following vertebral compression fracture. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal cement distribution within a treated vertebral body. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of two distinct patterns of cement distribution following PVP on patient reported outcome measures up to 1 year post procedure.
Methods
A retrospective study was undertaken of 42 patients consecutively undergoing PVP of up to 3 levels by a sole operator. Immediate post-procedural CT scans were analysed with VOXAR MPR software to determine cement distribution in each treated vertebrae as one of two defined patterns -“anterolateral” or “diffuse”. Patients completed an EQ-5D questionnaire pre-procedure and at 1, 2, 6 and 12 months from the procedure.
Results
A 97% follow up rate of questionnaire completion was achieved for 30 patients. There were 58 treated levels with PVP performed at all levels between T6 and L5. Twelve patients had an anterolateral fill pattern and 18 patients had a diffuse fill pattern. Statistically significant improvement occurred in in all EQ-5D domains except self care at almost all timepoints in the study group. In the anterolateral group, pain was significantly improved at 1 week, 2months, 6 months and 1 year compared with only at 1 year in the diffuse group.
Conclusion
PVP leads to immediate and sustained improvement in quality of life. Lateral cement placement leads to greater pain relief in the short term compared with diffuse cement filling.
Conflicts of Interest
None
Source of Funding
None
This abstract has not been previously published in whole or in part; nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
