This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Balloon kyphoplasty may be effective in cases of osteolytic vertebral fractures
Study shows no complications from infection, bleeding, pulmonary embolism or cardiac arrest.
Balloon kyphoplasty may give significant pain relief and functional improvement to patients with osteolytic vertebral fractures caused by multiple myeloma.
Anand Agarwal, FRCS, and colleagues prospectively evaluated 59 patients (117 vertebrae) with osteolytic fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine secondary to multiple myeloma who underwent balloon kyphoplasty.
3-year follow-up
A 3-year follow-up of 98 vertebral fractures in 49 patients revealed that the median Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain significantly decreased from 8 points preoperatively to 2 points postoperatively. The investigators also found that the VAS score stabilized to 3.5 points between 12 and 24 months follow-up. Similarly, Owestry Disability Index (ODI) scores showed a significant improvement in function postoperatively, and the score remained constant between 24 and 36 months.
A comparison also showed significant restorations in both anterior-vertebral and mid-vertebral height and a significant reduction in kyphotic deformity postoperatively.
“Significant pain relief”
Of the 117 vertebrae, the investigators found 14 cases of cement leakage. Six of the 49 patients sustained a new vertebral fracture. The investigators found no complications from infection, bleeding, pulmonary embolism, stoke or cardiac arrest.
“Balloon kyphoplasty for osteolytic vertebral fractures leads to significant pain relief and improvement of physical function, stabilizes the fracture in the multiple myeloma patients, and reduces spinal deformity [during] intervals initiated for continuation of chemotherapy and radiation therapy,” Agarwal said during his presentation at Spine Week 2008.
He added, “Balloon kyphoplasty is an effective minimally invasive procedure for the stabilization of osteolytic vertebral fractures, leading to a significant reduction of pain status and improvement of physical function.”
For more information:
- Anand Agarwal, FRCS, can be reached at Medway Maritime Hospital, Associated Teaching Hospital of University of London, Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5NY, England; e-mail: akaspine@aol.com. Orthopaedics Today Europe was unable to determine if he has any direct financial interest in any products or companies mentioned in this article.
Reference:
- Pflugmacher R, Agarwal A, Disch A, et al. Balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteolytic vertebral fractures caused by multiple myeloma: 3 years radiographic and functional follow-up. Paper AB34. Presented at Spine Week 2008. May 26-31, 2008. Geneva.