Efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty on vertebral compression fractures with different bone mineral densities: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for vertebral compression fractures with different bone mineral densities (BMD).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 232 patients with single-segment vertebral compression fractures who underwent PKP. Patients were divided into the normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups according to their average lumbar BMD before surgery. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to compare differences in pain relief before and after surgery in each group. Corrections of the wedge angle and kyphotic angle before and after surgery were observed using anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and compared among the groups, as was the incidence of bone cement leakage.

RESULTS

Patients were followed up for 6-12 months, with an average follow-up time of 9.12 ± 1.68 months. The VAS score, wedge angle, and kyphotic angle of the three groups of patients decreased significantly at the end of the follow-up (P < 0.05). The changes in VAS score and wedge angle correction in the osteoporosis group were significantly larger than those in the normal BMD and osteopenia groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of kyphotic angle correction or bone cement leakage rates (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PKP has a positive effect on vertebral compression fractures with different BMD, and is especially suitable for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Risk factors affecting vertebral collapse and kyphotic progression in postmenopausal osteoporotic vertebral fractures

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the risk factors that affect vertebral deformity 6 months after osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) at the time of injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From May 2017 to May 2020, 70 postmenopausal women with OVFs were evaluated for age; body mass index; number of previous OVFs; total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels; posterior wall injury on computed tomography; cross-sectional area (CSA) of the psoas major, erector spinae, and multifidus; fat infiltration; vertebral instability (VI) upon admission; collapse rate (CR); and kyphotic angle (KA) at 6 months after injury. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for the CR and KA.

RESULTS

The CR was correlated with posterior wall injury (r = 0.295, p = 0.022), 25(OH)D levels (r =  - 0.367, p = 0.002), and VI (r = 0.307, p = 0.010). In the multiple regression analysis, the 25(OH)D levels (p = 0.032) and VI (p = 0.035) were significant risk factors for the CR at the 6-month follow-up. The KA was correlated with the 25(OH)D levels (r =  - 0.262, p = 0.031) and VI (r = 0.298, p = 0.012). In the multiple regression analysis, the CSA of the psoas major (p = 0.011) and VI (p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for the KA at the 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In cases with large VI at the time of injury, the CR and KA were significantly higher at 6 months after injury. Moreover, the CR was affected by the 25(OH)D level, while the KA was affected by the CSA of the psoas major upon admission.

Rollback Imaging as a Useful Tool in the Preoperative Evaluation of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Introduction

When surgery is performed for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the extent to which kyphosis can be corrected by the intraoperative position of the body is often determined by preoperative radiography in the extension position. However, patients have difficulty adopting an adequate extension position due to the pain associated with their vertebral fracture. We place a pillow beneath the fractured vertebral body before surgery and take radiographs in the supine position to evaluate the extent to which the kyphosis can be corrected. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of this imaging method by comparing postoperative radiographs with preoperative radiographs taken with a pillow placed beneath the fractured vertebral body.

Methods

Lateral preoperative radiographs were taken of the patients in seated flexion and extension positions and the supine position. Lateral radiographs (rollback) were also taken 5 min after placing a firm pillow 20 cm in diameter beneath the fractured vertebral body. The kyphotic angle was compared between preoperative lateral radiographs of patients in the flexion, extension, and supine positions, rollback, and postoperative lateral radiographs in the supine position.

Results

The mean kyphotic angle was 33.3° in the flexion position, 28.3° in the extension position, 14.8° in the supine position, and 5.6° in rollback preoperatively and 6.4° postoperatively. The preoperative kyphotic angle differed from the postoperative kyphotic angle by ≥11° in 91% and 83% of participants in the flexion and extension positions, respectively; the difference was ≤ 5° in 30% and 61% of participants in the supine position and rollback, respectively. Differences in the postoperative angle were small in the order of rollback, supine position, extension position, and flexion position.

Conclusions

Compared with radiographs taken in the flexion, extension, and supine positions, rollback showed little difference from postoperative radiographs, which showed almost the same angle as the intraoperative kyphotic angle.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty: Risk Factors for Recollapse of Cemented Vertebrae

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous kyphoplasty can offer pain relief and restoration of vertebral height immediately after the procedure; however, little is known about how many vertebrae recollapse during follow-up or why recollapse occurs. In the present study, we define recollapse of a treated vertebra, assess how common it is following percutaneous kyphoplasty, and investigate risk factors for the condition.

METHODS

In total, 203 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty were reviewed after an average 12.7 months to assess what proportion of cement-augmented vertebrae had recollapsed. Potential risk factors for recollapse included age, gender, body weight, body height, body mass index, treated level, duration of symptoms, follow-up duration, preoperative T-scores, surgical approach, the intravertebral cleft, contact of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with endplates, cement volume, cement leakage, and midline vertebral body height. Stepwise multivariate linear regression was conducted to predict recollapse as quantified by midline vertebral height loss.

RESULTS

Overall, 38.9% of the augmented vertebrae recollapsed. In the recollapse group, the average midline vertebral height ratio and kyphotic angles statistically significantly changed during follow-up (P < 0.05). Pain scores decreased immediately after percutaneous kyphoplasty and generally remained low at follow-up. Significant predictors of midline vertebral height loss at follow-up included presence of an intravertebral cleft, postoperative vertebral height, and non-PMMA-endplate-contact. Together, these factors accounted for 28% of the variability in midline height loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Benefits of percutaneous kyphoplasty are partly offset by subsequent recollapse. Recollapse is greater if there is an intravertebral cleft, non-PMMA-endplate-contact and an increase in the post vertebral height.

Treatment of thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type I: results of an international consensus procedure

Background

In all patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I), skeletal disease (dysostosis multiplex) is a prominent, debilitating, condition related complication that may impact strongly on activities of daily living. Unfortunately, it is not alleviated by treatment with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Although early kyphosis is one of the key features of dysostosis multiplex, there is no international consensus on the optimal management. Therefore, an international consensus procedure was organized with the aim to develop the first clinical practice guideline for the management of thoracolumbar kyphosis in MPS I patients.

Methods

A literature review was conducted to identify all available information about kyphosis and related surgery in MPS I patients. Subsequently, a modified Delphi procedure was used to develop consensus statements. The expert panel included 10 spinal orthopedic surgeons, 6 pediatricians and 3 physiotherapists, all experienced in MPS I. The procedure consisted of 2 written rounds, a face-to-face meeting and a final written round. The first 2 rounds contained case histories, general questions and draft statements. During the face-to-face meeting consensus statements were developed. In the final round, the panel had the opportunity to anonymously express their opinion about the proposed statements.

Results

Eighteen case series and case reports were retrieved from literature reporting on different surgical approaches and timing of thoracolumbar kyphosis surgery in MPS I. During the face-to-face meeting 16 statements were discussed and revised. Consensus was reached on all statements.

Conclusion

This international consensus procedure resulted in the first clinical practice guideline for the management of thoracolumbar kyphosis in MPS I patients, focusing on the goals and timing of surgery, as well as the optimal surgical approach, the utility of bracing and required additional assessments (e.g. radiographs). Most importantly, it was concluded that the decision for surgery depends not only on the kyphotic angle, but also on additional factors such as the progression of the deformity and its flexibility, the presence of symptoms, growth potential and comorbidities. The eventual goal of treatment is the maintenance or improvement of quality of life. Further international collaborative research related to long-term outcome of kyphosis surgery in MPS I is essential as prognostic information is lacking.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-0997-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of Screw Type on Kyphotic Deformity Correction after Spine Fracture Fixation: Cannulated versus Solid Pedicle Screw

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Purpose

To detect the effect of cannulated (poly-axial head) and solid (mono-axial head) screws on the local kyphotic angle, vertebral body height, and superior and inferior angles between the screw and the rod in the surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures.

Overview of Literature

Biomechanics studies showed that the ultimate load, yield strength, and cycles to failure were significantly lower with cannulated (poly-axial head) pedicle comparing to solid core (mono-axial head).

Methods

The medical charts of patients with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent pedicle screw fixation with cannulated or solid pedicle screws were retrospectively reviewed; the subjects were followed up from January 2011 to December 2015.

Results

Total 178 patients (average age, 36.1±12.4 years; men, 142 [84.3%]; women, 28 [15.7%]) with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent surgery and were followed up at Hamad Medical Corporation were classified, based on the screw type as those with cannulated screws and those with solid screws. The most commonly affected level was L1, followed by L2 and D12. Surgical correction of the local kyphotic angle was significantly different in the groups; however, there was no significant difference in the loss of correction of the local kyphotic angle of the groups. Surgical correction of the reduction in the vertebral body height showed statistical significance, while the average loss of correction in the reduction of the vertebral body height was not significantly different. The measurement of the angles made by the screws on the rods was not significantly different between the cannulated (poly-axial head) and solid (mono-axial head) screw groups.

Conclusions

Solid screws were superior in terms of providing increased correction of the kyphotic angle and height of the fractured vertebra than the cannulated screws; however, no difference was noted between the screws in the maintenance of the superior and inferior angles of the screw with the rod.