Balloon kyphoplasty for acute osteoporotic compression fractures.

We reviewed the effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of acute symptomatic vertebral compression fractures. We assessed radiographic and functional outcome in 11 patients with a 24.3 month follow-up from a retrospectively monitored series of 11 patients who underwent balloon kyphoplasty (BKP). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short McGill questionnaire (MPQ) were used to assess average symptoms. Eleven patients with 19 treated vertebrae completed the study. The VAS showed significant improvement after treatment: the initial score was 9.1+/-0.6 (mean+/-SD), falling to 2.7+/-1.07 by 24.3 months (P<0.001). The MPQ also showed a significant improvement (P<0.001) at follow-up. A new fracture was seen in one patient affecting two vertebrae adjacent to the treated level. On CT following the procedure, there was cement leakage in the disc in 9% of cases. BKP is a minimally invasive procedure that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acute symptomatic vertebral compression fractures. It appears that BKP is associated with a low incidence of procedure-related complications and cement extravasation.