Short Term Clinical Outcome of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

"nIntroduction: The first case of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) was performed by French radiologists in 1984 for the treatment of vertebral hemangioma. Nowadays this procedure is useful in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fracures, hemangiomas, osteolytic metastasis and vertebral involvement by multiple myeloma. We carried out this study to clarify the short term results of PV in reducing the pain and disabilities of these patients. "nMaterials and Methods: From September 2008 to December 2008, 20 patients with compression fracture, hemangioma and metastasis to the lumbar vertebral bodies underwent PV and short term postprocedural results were studied by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Oswestry LBPDQ) and the results were compared with preprocedural measurements. "nResults: Comparison of pre and postprocedural VAS and Oswestry LBPDQ, showed a statistically meaningful decrease in pain intensity and improvement in functional ability of these patients post PV. No other significant side effect was detected. "nConclusion: PV is safe and effective in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures in the above mentioned groups. "nKeywords: Percutaneous Vertebroplasty (PV), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Low Back Pain, Diasability Questionnaire