Percutaneous vertebroplasty: the follow-up

PURPOSE: This article reports on our experience treating vertebral fractures with percutaneous vertebroplasty. A clinical and imaging follow-up designed to identify the early (especially pulmonary embolism of bone cement) and late complications of the technique is proposed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the basis of the current guidelines, 101 patients were selected: 64 osteoporotic and 37 neoplastic. A total of 173 vertebrae were treated. Procedures were performed with both computed tomography and fluoroscopic guidance. Residual pain was evaluated with a visual analogue scale score immediately after vertebroplasty and 1, 15, 30, 90, 180 and 270 days later. Spine and chest radiographs were obtained 24 h after vertebroplasty; spine radiography was repeated 30 days later. RESULTS: Therapeutic success was obtained in 88% of osteoporotic patients and in 84% of neoplastic patients. Pulmonary cement emboli were identified in four patients, all of whom were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of osteoporotic and neoplastic vertebral fractures. Clinical and imaging followup allows effective patient monitoring and early detection of possible complications.