Percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Vertebroplasty, the augmentation of vertebral compression fractures by image-controlled intracorporeal injection of polymethylmethacrylate cement, has shown a steady increase in use. Its chief indication is to palliate pain after a failure of noninvasive therapies. Other benefits include preventing further compression of the treated vertebra and fusing unstable fractures. Controversies include questions regarding its long-term benefit compared with natural history, claims of height restoration, biomechanical compromise of adjacent vertebrae, and its performance compared with kyphoplasty. Complications are uncommon but can be devastating with reported cases of procedural death and paralysis. New operators should be adequately trained and respect the dangers of this procedure.