Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimal invasive method for the stabilization of vertebral bodies by means of acrylic cement – PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). It has been used in the treatment of pain conditions of the spine associated with compressive fractures in osteoporosis and in neoplastic affections of vertebral bodies. The therapy is based on application of acrylic cement by means of a needle inserted into the affected vertebral body. The authors refer to 16 patients with a painful syndrome associated with osteoporosis-related compressive fractures, where vertebroplasty was made on 23 vertebral bodies. Symptomatic hemangiomas were treated in three vertebral bodies of two patients by embolization with ethanol and subsequent percutaneous vertebroplasty. In one case the cement penetrated into the disk and compressive fracture of the adjacent caudal vertebra occurred requiring a stabilization operation. No other serious complications were encountered. In 33 % of patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty the pain disappeared, a marked diminution of the pain occurred in 40% and a mild relief was observed in 215 of cases. The pain remained unchanged in one patient (6%). The authors also refer to new technical possibilities for the use of 3D imaging in rational seriography (3D RA) with the Alura apparatus of Philips in the therapy of compressive fractures of vertebral bodies by means of vertebroplasty.

        Key words: compressive fracture of vertebral body – osteoporosis – hemangioma of vertebral body – polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) – ethanol – embolization