Vertebroplasty

The first conduct of Vertebroplasty was in France in 1984 to treat compression fractures caused by bone cancer or bone metastasis. It was later done to treat compression fractures caused by osteoporosis.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty was introduced in the United States in 1994 and has become widely available since 1997 as a treatment for pain associated with compression fractures due to osteoporosis. The procedure has been shown to provide continued pain relief for osteoporotic compression fractures.

A 1998 study by Dr. Deramond and colleagues reported on 80 patients with rapid and complete pain relief in more than 90% of osteoporotic cases. We achieved similar results in our local series.

We have been performing this procedure regularly since 2001 in Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Our patients’ follow-up treatments that took place from a month to 10 years since the procedure have shown strong evidence of prolonged pain relief.

Procedure

Vertebroplasty is done using x-ray imaging and conscious sedation.

The interventional radiologist inserts a needle through a nick in the skin in the back, directing it under fluoroscopy (continuous, moving X-ray imaging) into the fractured vertebra. The physician then injects the medical-grade bone cement into the vertebra. The cement hardens within 15 minutes and stabilises the fracture, like an internal cast.

Risks

Cement leakage into the spinal canal with resultant nerve injury
Cement leakage into the blood stream with resultant
Cement embolisation to the lungs.
Infection
Bleeding from the needle insertion
Allergy to the cement

These risks are generally very low and overall risk for the procedure is estimated at less than 2 percent. There is also a risk of fracture of the adjacent vertebra, but this is not higher than the risk of a second fracture resulting from osteoporosis.

Vertebroplasty is available at:

Radiology Department, Gleneagles Hospital

	6A Napier Road Singapore 258500
	(65) 6470 5730
	Fax: (65) 6470 5749

Radiology Department, Mount Elizabeth Hospital

	3 Mount Elizabeth, Level 2 Singapore 228510
	(65) 6388 4333
	Fax: (65) 6732 3368

Radiology Department, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital

	38 Irrawaddy Road, Level 2, Singapore 329563
	(65) 6388 4333
	Fax: (65) 6933 0526

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