1Adam_Osteoporosis_Brief


 
 
 
124        Adam et al        Osteoporosis - associated vertebral compression fractures 

Brief communication 

Osteoporosis - associated vertebral compression fractures 

D. Adam, Ioana Hornea, B.O. Ene 
Emergency "St. Pantelimon" Hospital, Bucharest 

 

Background 

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone 
disease characterised by bone loss or brittle 
bones. While the outside of the bone more 
or less stays the same, inside the bone 
substance disintegrates. The affected bone 
can cope with less strain than healthy 
bone. Being a silent disease is often 
diagnosed when the patient breaks a bone. 
Bone fractures can cause severe pain, 
restrict mobility and generally reduce the 
quality of life. 

The spine is commonly affected by 
osteoporotic fractures. The vertebral bodies 
of the thoracic and lumbar spine are under 
greatest degree of pressure. 

In most cases, the vertebral body 
becomes stronger by itself and the pain 
recedes with bed rest, pain killer and 
physical therapy. If the pain is severe and 
persistent surgical treatment should be 
considered: open surgery stabilisation or 
low invasive techniques. 

Material and methods 

In 2008 we treated 5 patients with 
vertebral compression fractures: 3 males 
and 2 women, with ages between 40 and 
72 years, by kyphoplasty (1 patient) and 
vertebroplasty (4 patients). 

Preoperative diagnosis was performed 
based on plain X-rays and STIR-weighted 
MRI. 

Vertebral augmentation is based on a 
minimally invasive approach to the 
vertebral body, transpedicular for the 
lumbar spine or parapedicular for the 
thoracic spine and cement injection using 
Vertecem Vertebroplsty by Synthes and 
Kyphoplasty Kitt by Kyfon, under C-arm 
control. 

The female patient 70 years old, is the 
first kyphoplasty case reported by 
neurosurgeons in Romania. 

Results 

At 3 hours after the procedure, all 
patients were pain-free. At 24 hours they 
resumed mobility and were discharged. 

In 1 patient we had a little cement leak 
lateral of the vertebral body. 

Conclusions 

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are 
efficient methods for the treatment of 
vertebral compression fractures. Increasing 
experience, associated with a careful 
selection of cases will diminish the risks of 
leakage and make the procedures safer.