Interventional Spine

Bradley P Thomas, MD,
Scott Shay, MD, Non ASSR Member

Scientific Poster

Exhibit Panels: 1

Purpose

Background and Objectives:

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe and effective means of treatment for acute and subacute vertebral compression fractures. Procedure time and vertebral access route are important considerations in these patients who often have significant comorbidities. Pre-procedural planning using available CT and/or MRI studies can optimize procedure time and minimize risk to adjacent structures. This tutorial provides examples of key anatomic considerations when considering a unipedicular approach. Specifically, it addresses the question of which side to choose.

Learning Points:

I. Consideration of unipedicular versus bipedicular treatment approach

a. Patient status
b. Fracture level
c. Fracture pattern

II. Optimization of pre-procedural CT and MRI exams

a. Pedicle anatomy
i. Pedicle size
ii. Pedicle Angle
iii. Needle docking surface
b. Operator working angle