PURPOSE: This study retrospectively analysed the results of biopsies obtained during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in patients with presumed osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, with a view to highlighting the importance of coaxial biopsy in determining the aetiology of vertebral fractures and planning subsequent treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2003 and March 2009, 98 patients (78 women; 20 men) with a clinical and imaging suspicion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures underwent coaxial biopsy in conjunction with PVP of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Mean age at the time of the procedure was 72.6 years. A pathologist interpreted all the biopsy samples. RESULTS: In 83 patients, the biopsy results were consistent with the presumed osteoporotic aetiology. In two patients, a malignancy was identified. Biopsy samples from 13 patients were considered insufficient or unsuitable by the pathologist for evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the number of biopsy samples considered insufficient or unsuitable, coaxial biopsy during PVP is useful in verifying the presumed aetiology of vertebral compression fractures, which is often unclear on the basis of clinical and imaging examinations. It is therefore both convenient and advisable to perform a vertebral coaxial biopsy in all patients undergoing a PVP.
PURPOSE: This study retrospectively analysed the results of biopsies obtained during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in patients with presumed osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, with a view to highlighting the importance of coaxial biopsy in determining the aetiology of vertebral fractures and planning subsequent treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2003 and March 2009, 98 patients (78 women; 20 men) with a clinical and imaging suspicion of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures underwent coaxial biopsy in conjunction with PVP of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Mean age at the time of the procedure was 72.6 years. A pathologist interpreted all the biopsy samples. RESULTS: In 83 patients, the biopsy results were consistent with the presumed osteoporotic aetiology. In two patients, a malignancy was identified. Biopsy samples from 13 patients were considered insufficient or unsuitable by the pathologist for evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the number of biopsy samples considered insufficient or unsuitable, coaxial biopsy during PVP is useful in verifying the presumed aetiology of vertebral compression fractures, which is often unclear on the basis of clinical and imaging examinations. It is therefore both convenient and advisable to perform a vertebral coaxial biopsy in all patients undergoing a PVP.
Authors: S Adami; G Isaia; G Luisetto; S Minisola; L Sinigaglia; S Silvestri; D Agnusdei; R Gentilella; R Nuti Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2008-02-20 Impact factor: 4.507
Authors: Andrew J Schoenfeld; Nicholas J Dinicola; Douglas M Ehrler; Andrea Koerber; Mihail Paxos; Scott D Shorten; Jacqueline Bowers; Erin Jackson; Michael J Smith Journal: Injury Date: 2007-09-18 Impact factor: 2.586
Authors: Sander Paul Jan Muijs; Paul A Akkermans; Arian R van Erkel; Sander D Dijkstra Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2009-10-15 Impact factor: 3.468