Influence of a novel radiopacifier on the properties of an injectable calcium phosphate cement.

An injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) with excellent radiopacity was proposed by introducing a novel radiopacifier, strontium carbonate, into the powder phase of CPC. The results showed that the cement showed improved radiopacity even when the content of strontium carbonate was only 8 or 12wt.%. The addition of 8 or 12wt.% strontium carbonate clearly improved the injectability and compressive strength of the cement. Furthermore, the addition of strontium carbonate influenced the pore distribution in the cement. An injectable CPC containing 8 or 12wt.% strontium carbonate has the potential for use in procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.