Study design: A single-center retrospective study.
Objective: To identify the relevant incidence and risk factors of delayed vertebral collapse and progressive kyphosis with spinal canal encroachment after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for vertebral compression fracture (VCF).
Summary of background data: Delayed vertebral collapse and progressive kyphosis with spinal canal encroachment are complications after PVP for VCF.
Methods: Between December 2002 and February 2011, 843 patients underwent PVP for VCFs for at least 2 years of minimum follow-up term in a tertiary referral center. All imaging measurements were obtained digitally, with comparisons of the Cobb angle and spinal canal stenosis on fractured vertebral level at 3 different time points of pre- and postvertebroplasty, and before revision surgery.
Results: Thirteen patients (14 fractures) who underwent PVP had delayed vertebral collapse and progressive kyphosis on the level of the fractured vertebra, 3 were male and 10 female, with a median age of 75 years (range, 66-89 yr). One had 2-level VCFs. All were treated with revision surgery of decompressive laminectomy for spinal canal stenosis with neurological complications. Twelve patients had additional instrument fixation. The involved vertebras were concentrated at the thoracolumbar junction region (T11-L2). The mean Cobb angles were measured at 23.67° before PVP, 15.90° after PVP, and 30.92° before revision surgery. The ratio of spinal canal stenosis was 35.45% and 49.48% before PVP and revision surgery, respectively. The occurrence rate of delayed complications was about 1.5% (13/843).
Conclusion: Conservative treatment and minimal invasive vertebral augmentation surgery can be selected from patients with stable VCFs. Close follow-up is warrant to monitor the occurrence of late collapse with neurological complications.
Level of evidence: N/A.