Efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for multiple synchronous and metachronous vertebral compression fractures

The role of cement augmentation with percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures in multiple myeloma: a consensus statement from the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG)

Multiple myeloma (MM) represents approximately 15% of haematological malignancies and most of the patients present with bone involvement. Focal or diffuse spinal osteolysis may result in significant morbidity by causing painful progressive vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and deformities. Advances in the systemic treatment of myeloma have achieved high response rates and prolonged the survival significantly. Early diagnosis and management of skeletal events contribute to improving the prognosis and quality of life of MM patients. The management of patients with significant pain due to VCFs in the acute phase is not standardised. While some patients are successfully treated conservatively, and pain relief is achieved within a few weeks, a large percentage has disabling pain and morbidity and hence they are considered for surgical intervention. Balloon kyphoplasty and percutaneous vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures which have been shown to relieve pain and restore function. Despite increasing positive evidence for the use of these procedures, the indications, timing, efficacy, safety and their role in the treatment algorithm of myeloma spinal disease are yet to be elucidated. This paper reports an update of the consensus statement from the International Myeloma Working Group on the role of cement augmentation in myeloma patients with VCFs.

Comparison if the addition of multilevel vertebral augmentation to conventional therapy will improve the outcome of patients with multiple myeloma

Background

This was a prospective study to evaluate the effect of multilevel vertebral augmentation in addition to conventional therapy in multiple myeloma patients.

Methods

We treated 27 patients, whom were recently diagnosed to have multiple myeloma by two ways of treatment. Thirteen patients (group I) were treated with conventional therapy and 14 patients (group II) with adding vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Patients were evaluated pre-treatment and at half, one, two and 3-years post-treatment by using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Stanford Score (SS) and the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS).

Results

Mean values of ODI, SS and SINS were 31.9 (63.8%), 4.3 and 13.8 for group I and 33.2 (66.4%), 4.6 and 12.8 for group II before starting treatment. Group II showed improvement better than group I at all follow-up intervals with best results at first 6 months. P-values at the end of the study were ODI = 0.047, SS = 0.180 and SINS = 0.002. Mortality rates were equal of both groups (four patients of each group).

Conclusion

Adding vertebral augmentation to conventional therapy improves multiple myeloma patients’ quality of life, but didn’t affect the mortality rate.

ACR appropriateness criteria management of vertebral compression fractures

This is an updated review of management of vertebral compression fracture for both benign osteoporotic and malignant causes. Vertebral compression fracture radiologic imaging evaluation is discussed. A literature review is provided of current indications for vertebral augmentation with percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty as well as medical management. Limitations and potential benefits of these procedures are discussed. Variant tables describing various clinical situations are also provided to assist in determining appropriate use of these treatments for patient care. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to formulate recommendations for imaging or treatment.

Neither subendplate cement deposition nor cement leakage into the disk space during vertebroplasty significantly affects patient outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the impact of cement placement immediately adjacent to and through the endplate during percutaneous vertebroplasty on postprocedural pain and subsequent fracture rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institutional review board approval with waived consent was obtained. Medical records of 424 patients undergoing first-time, single-level vertebroplasty for osteoporotic or traumatic compression fractures were examined. Data regarding pain at rest and with activity before the procedure, along with timing and level of subsequent fractures over a 24-month period, were collected. Group 1 (n=64) included patients with no cement extension to the endplate(s), group 2 (n=216) included those with cement extension to the endplate(s) but no leakage into the disk space(s), and group 3 (n=144) included those with cement extension to the endplate(s) and cement leakage into the disk space(s). Analysis of variance and Fisher test were used to analyze the data, with significance set at P<.05.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and demographics were similar among the groups. At 1 month, for groups 1, 2, and 3, the respective mean postprocedural pain numeric scores at rest were 1.4±2.7, 1.4±2.4, and 1.6±2.5 (P=.51), while the respective pain scores with activity were 4.3±2.9, 3.8±3.1, and 3.9±3.3 (P=.50). Total subsequent fractures were noted in five (8%), 26 (12%), and 15 (10%) patients in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P=.77).

CONCLUSION

Neither extension of cement to the endplate nor cement leakage into the disk space has significant impact on postprocedural pain or subsequent fracture rate at 2 years.

Asymptomatic and unrecognized cement pulmonary embolism commonly occurs with vertebroplasty

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cement PE represents a potentially serious complication following vertebroplasty. To determine the frequency and extent of cement PE during percutaneous vertebroplasty, we performed a retrospective review of chest CT scans obtained in patients who had previously undergone ≥1 vertebroplasty procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After approval by our local institutional review board, we retrospectively evaluated 244 patients who had undergone vertebroplasty at 465 levels and subsequently underwent chest CT. A thoracic radiologist evaluated the presence, number, size, and location of discrete cement PEs. We catalogued the following data: age, sex, number of treated vertebrae, cement volume per vertebra, operator, presence of cement leakage noted by the operator during the procedure, and clinical presentation at postvertebroplasty CT.

RESULTS

At least 1 cement PE was detected in 23 (9.4%; 95% CI, 6%-13%) of 244 patients; 1 patient was symptomatic from a cement PE. The mean number of discrete cement PEs was 3.2 ± 3.4 (median, 2; range, 1-12). There was no correlation among the total number of treatment sessions, number of levels treated per session, cement volume per level, operator, or time between vertebroplasty and chest CT in the detection of cement PE. Those with PE were significantly younger (P=.0229) and had significantly more total levels treated (P=.0260). Cement PE was recognized by the operator during the vertebroplasty in 2 (8.7%) of 23 patients found to have it on CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Small asymptomatic cement PEs are common during vertebroplasty and usually are not recognized by the operator during the procedure.