Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a relatively new technique and minimal invasive procedure first performed by Galbert and colleaguesused to treat painful vertebral compression fractures by injecting bone cement into a vertebral body.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is commonly applied to the lumber and thoracic vertebrae but may be applied to all vertebrae, single or multiple levels and patients regain mobility within 24 hours and are usually able to reduce, or even eliminate their pain medications within a short time.
Evaluation of patient before (PV).
Complete history taking, physical examination should include a thoroughly neurologic assessment.Blood test, complete blood count (CBC), Calcium level and Vitamin D assessment also done. Radiologically includes X-ray, CT- scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA Scan) and Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain assessment.
Procedure.
The procedure can be performed using local or general anesthesia, in prone position completely sterile technique is used.
Under careful radioscopic control, transpedicular approach is used for thoracic and lumbar spine, the needle introduced up to the anterior third of the vertebral body, the cement mixture then injected through the needle by continuous turning motions of the reservoir, which deploy the mixture in a controlled manner.
Postoperative care: Patients took approximately 2 hours of bed rest after vertebroplasty, then allowed to walk when their symptoms become tolerable.