Interventional Spine

Sudhir Kathuria, M.D.
Edward Lin, M.D., Non ASSR Member
Per-lennart Westesson, M.D., PhD, Non ASSR Member

Scientific Paper

Purpose

To evaluate if the adjacent vertebra with lower bone marrow density as measured by CT hounsfields unit has higher risk of fracture after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedure.

Methods & Materials

This is a retrospective study of the data available for over 50 refractures presented after over 250 initial vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures done at our center. In all these patients, CT examination was obtained within two hours of the procedure as a part of routine protocol at our center. In retrospect, we measured the bone density of the vertebral bodies adjacent to the one treated with kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty using CT hounsfield units at the time of initial treatment. Statistical analysis of the significance of correlation between the density of vertebra and risk of fracture was obtained.

Results

The adjacent vertebra with a lower bone density measured using CT hounsfield units has higher risk of refracture after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedure.

Conclusion

We can predict the adjacent vertebral level at higher risk of refracture using CT obtained at the time of initial vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty treatment. This may be helpful in deciding the level for prophylactic treatment at the time of initial treatment.