Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is the polymethylmetacrilate (PMMA) injection into a vertebral body. It may be used for patients with compression fractures due to osteoporosis, metastatic tumors, or benign tumors. Vertebroplasty is performed to provide pain relief or to produce bone strengthening. The contraindications of the intervention are lack of patient consent, coagulopathy, infection, radiculopathy and extensive vertebral destruction. Vertebroplasty may be performed with transpedicular or extrapedicular approaches. The main complications are lamina pedicle or rib fractures, pneumothorax, and cement leakage into vessels, epidural space or disc.