MISCELLANEOUS

VERTEBROPLASTY

Introduction

Last updated: nov 22, 2024

Benign osteoporotic fractures result from weakened bones due to loss of mineral density, often seen in post-menopausal women or caused by treatments like steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation. The vertebral body can collapse under minimal stress, causing a vertebral compression fracture (VCF), which is painful, especially in the acute phase, but usually heals with rest and bracing over several weeks. If not healed, the fracture may progress to osteonecrosis (Kümmell’s disease), where the vertebra fills with fluid and gas. Malignant fractures, such as those from osteolytic metastases or multiple myeloma, involve cancer replacing the vertebral bone and are also typically painful.

Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty via trans-pedicular approach

 

Anatomy

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Indications

  • Benign osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
  • Painful (sub-)acute fracture
  • Painful osteonecrosis (Kümmell’s disease)
  • Haemangioma (treatment of spinal haemangioma is complex since it often requires combined interventional and surgical treatments, which is beyond the scope of this course)
  • Malignant vertebral compression fracture
  • Osteolytic metastasis
  • Multiple myeloma

 

Contra indications

Absolute

  • Asymptomatic VCF, or patients improving with medical therapy without worsening of the vertebral collapse
  • Sagittal unstable spinal fracture
  • Acute systemic infection
  • Spondylodiscitis
  • Severe uncorrectable coagulopathy

Relative

 

Pre procedural

 

Materials

Essentials

  • Ultrasound
  • Sterile drapes
  • 1% lidocaine

Non-Essentials

 

Positioning the patient

  • Supine

 

The procedure in steps

  • Time out
  • Positioning patient
  • Sterile wash and drapes
  • Sterile percutaneous anaesthesia at the pedicles
  • Access to the vertebral body changes according to the treated levels; as a general rule, extra-osseous access to the vertebral body should be avoided in order to prevent severe complications.
    • Cervical levels, a trans-oral approach can be performed to treat upper cervical levels (C1-C2).
    • Mid-lower cervical levels can be approached through an anterolateral approach or a posterolateral transpedicular approach.
    • Thoracic levels, a posterolateral intercostal-pedicular approach is used.
    • Lumbar levels, the vertebral body is accessed through a posterolateral transpedicular approach.
    • Sacral level two possible approaches have been described: a) direct access to the sacral wings through a posterior approach; b) a trans-iliac approach to get access to the body of the first sacral vertebra.
  • 10-13 G bevelled bone trocars are manually positioned and/or hammered in order to enter the vertebral body
  • Inject the PMMA under continuous fluoroscopic guidance, which is also generally enough to guide bone trocar deployment unless a challenging access route is taken (i.e. trans-iliac approach to acquire access to the body of the first sacral vertebra); in such cases, CT assistance may be needed.
  • PMMA filling should be adequate (i.e. anterior 2/3 thirds of the vertebral body from the superior to the inferior endplate).
  • Remove the trocars

 

Tips and tricks

 

Complications

  • Cement leakage (often asymptomatic).
  • Epidural space, most troublesome
  • Neural foramina, can be symptomatic demanding steroid infiltration
  • Intervertebral disc, generally has no clinical significance
  • Paravertebral tissues (including the para-spinal venous plexus), may result in pulmonary embolism in 3.5-23% of cases, mostly asymptomatic. Regardless, in case of a central massive embolism, long-term anticoagulation may be needed.
  • Fracture of adjacent vertebral compression fracture is not increased
  • Infections: 1%, that are generally managed with long-term antibiotics given the difficulty in extirpating the implanted cement.
  • Fracture of ribs, posterior elements or pedicle: 1%. These complications do not need any active management.
  • Allergic reaction
  • Bleeding from the puncture site, generally managed conservatively, or vascular injuries due to an extra-osseous approach, may result in active bleeding from lumbar or intercostal arteries thus requiring embolization.

 

Post-op

  • Bed rest for four to six hours.
  • Thereafter, they may mobilize without any significant restrictions and without any need for bracing.

 

Follow-up

  • No specific follow-up is necessary.
  • Contact in case of persistent pain on the treated level or new pain symptoms at another vertebral level. Then MRI is indicated to evaluate the need for additional PMMA injection, and to rule out new VCFs.

 

Report

 

Patient folder

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Literature

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  1. J. Mark Ryan, MD, S. M. Key, Siobhan A. Dumbleton, MD, and Tony P. Smith, MD Nonlocalized Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Provocative Bleeding Studies with Intraarterial tPA, Heparin, and Tolazoline J Vasc Interv Radiol 2001 Nov;12(11):1273-7

  2. Baum ST. Arteriographic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. In Baum ST, Pentecost MJ, eds. Abrams' angiography interventional radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2006:488.

  4. Poultsides GA, Kim CJ, Orlando R 3rd, et al. Angiographic embolization for gastroduodenal hemorrhage: safety, efficacy, and predictors of outcome. Arch Surg. 2008;143:457-461.

  5. Eriksson LG, Sundbom M, Gustavsson S, Nyman R. Endoscopic marking with a metallic clip facilitates transcatheter arterial embolization in upper peptic ulcer bleeding. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006;17:959-964.

  6. Dixon S, Chan V, Shrivastava V et al. Is there a role for empiric gastroduodenal artery embolization in the management of patients with active upper GI hemorrhage? Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2013 Aug;36(4):970-7.

  7. Shin JH. Recent update of embolization of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Korean J Radiol 2012;13 Suppl 1:S31-S39.

  9. van Leerdam ME. Epidemiology of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;22(2):209-24.

  10. Sildiroglu O, Muasher J, Arslan B, Sabri SS, Saad WE, Angle JF, Matsumoto AH, Turba UC. Outcomes of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal nonvariceal hemorrhage referred to interventional radiology for potential embolotherapy. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014;48(8):687-92.

  11. Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Apr;111(4):459-74.

  13. van Dam J, Brugge WR. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(23):1738-48.

  15. Lefkovitz Z, Cappell MS, Lookstein R, Mitty HA, Gerard PS. Radiologic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ischemia. Med Clin North Am. 2002 Nov;86(6):1357-99.

  16. Lee EW, Laberge JM. Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol 2004; 7: 112-22

  18. Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Apr;111(4):459-74.

  19. Chaudhry V, Hyser MJ, Gracias VH, Gau FC. Colonoscopy: the initial test for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Am Surg. 1998 Aug;64(8):723-8.

  20. Cummings CL. Value of early capsular endoscopy for severe gastrointestinal bleeding. J Natl Med Assoc. 2004;96(12):1653-6.

  21. Appleyard M, Glukhovsky A, Swain P. Wireless-capsule diagnostic endoscopy for recurrent small-bowel bleeding. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(3):232-3.

  24. Lim JK, Ahmed A. Endoscopic approach to the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2004 Sep;7(3):123-9.

  25. Nicholson AA, Ettles DF, Hartley JE, et al. Transcatheter coil embolotherapy: a safe and effective option for major colonic haemorrhage. Gut 1998; 43:79–84.

  26. Zuckier LS. Acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Semin Nucl Med. 2003 Oct;33(4):297-311.

  27. Imbembo AL, Diverticular disease of the colon. In: Sabiston D, Editor. Textbook of Surgery (14th edn). Philadelphia, PA:WB Saunders, 1992:910.

  29. Loffroy R, Rao P, Ota S, De Lin M, Kwak BK, Geschwind JF. Embolization of acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resistant to endoscopic treatment: results and predictors of recurrent bleeding. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2010 Dec;33(6):1088-100. doi: 10.1007/s00270-010-9829-7. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

  31. Eriksson LG, Sundbom M, Gustavsson S, Nyman R. Endoscopic marking with a metallic clip facilitates transcatheter arterial embolization in upper peptic ulcer bleeding. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006 Jun;17(6):959-64.

  32. Anthony S, Milburn S, Uberoi R. Multi-detector CT: review of its use in acute GI haemorrhage. Clin Radiol. 2007 Oct;62(10):938-49.

  33. Ernst O, Bulois P, Saint-Drenant S, Leroy C, Paris JC, Sergent G. Helical CT in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(1):114-7

  34. Mirsadraee S, Tirukonda P, Nicholson A, Everett SM, McPherson SJ. Embolization for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage: a systematic review. Clin Radiol 2011;66:500-509.

  35. Loffroy R, Guiu B, D'Athis P, Mezzetta L, Gagnaire A, Jouve JL, Ortega-Deballon P, Cheynel N, Cercueil JP, Krausé D. Arterial embolotherapy for endoscopically unmanageable acute gastroduodenal hemorrhage: predictors of early rebleeding. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 May;7(5):515-23.

  36. Aina R, Oliva VL, Therasse E, et al. Arterial embolotherapy for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: outcome assessment. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2001;12:195-200.

  37. Mirsadraee S, Tirukonda P, Nicholson A, Everett SM, McPherson SJ. Embolization for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage: a systematic review. Clin Radiol 2011;66:500-509.

  38. Loffroy R, Guiu B, Cercueil JP, Lepage C, Latournerie M, Hillon P, Rat P, Ricolfi F, Krausé D. Refractory bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers: arterial embolization in high-operative-risk patients. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr;42(4):361-7.

  39. Loffroy R, Guiu B, D'Athis P, Mezzetta L, Gagnaire A, Jouve JL, Ortega-Deballon P, Cheynel N, Cercueil JP, Krausé D. Arterial embolotherapy for endoscopically unmanageable acute gastroduodenal hemorrhage: predictors of early rebleeding. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 May;7(5):515-23.

  40. Poultsides GA, Kim CJ, Orlando R 3rd, Peros G, Hallisey MJ, Vignati PV. Angiographic embolization for gastroduodenal hemorrhage: safety, efficacy, and predictors of outcome. Arch Surg 2008;143:457-461.

  42. Gordon RL, Ahl KL, Kerlan RK, Wilson MW, LaBerge JM, Sandhu JS, Ring EJ, Welton ML. Selective arterial embolization for the control of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Am J Surg. 1997;174(1):24-8.

  43. Funaki B, Kostelic JK, Lorenz J, Ha TV, Yip DL, Rosenblum JD, et al. Superselective microcoil embolization of colonic hemorrhage. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001;177:829-836 7.

  44. Bandi R, Shetty PC, Sharma RP, Burke TH, Burke MW, Kastan D. Superselective arterial embolization for the treatment of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2001;12:1399-1405.

  45. Maleux G, Roeflaer F, Heye S, Vandersmissen J, Vliegen AS, Demedts I, et al. Long-term outcome of transcatheter embolotherapy for acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Am J Gastroenterol 2009;104:2042-2046

  46. Leitman IM, Paull DE, Shires GT 3rd. Evaluation and management of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Ann Surg 1989;209:175-180

  47. Rosenkrantz H, Bookstein JJ, Rosen RJ, Goff WB 2nd, Healy JF. Postembolic colonic infarction. Radiology 1982;142:47-51.

  48. Koh DC, Luchtefeld MA, Kim DG, Knox MF, Fedeson BC, Vanerp JS, et al. Efficacy of transarterial embolization as definitive treatment in lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Colorectal Dis 2009;11:53-59

  49. Lipof T, Sardella WV, Bartus CM, Johnson KH, Vignati PV, Cohen JL. The efficacy and durability of super-selective embolization in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Dis Colon Rectum 2008;51:301-305

  1. Lee EW, Laberge JM. Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol 2004; 7: 112-22

  2. Baum ST. Arteriographic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. In Baum ST, Pentecost MJ, eds. Abrams' angiography interventional radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2006:488.

  4. Poultsides GA, Kim CJ, Orlando R 3rd, et al. Angiographic embolization for gastroduodenal hemorrhage: safety, efficacy, and predictors of outcome. Arch Surg. 2008;143:457-461.

  5. Eriksson LG, Sundbom M, Gustavsson S, Nyman R. Endoscopic marking with a metallic clip facilitates transcatheter arterial embolization in upper peptic ulcer bleeding. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006;17:959-964.

  6. Dixon S, Chan V, Shrivastava V et al. Is there a role for empiric gastroduodenal artery embolization in the management of patients with active upper GI hemorrhage? Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2013 Aug;36(4):970-7.

  7. Shin JH. Recent update of embolization of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Korean J Radiol 2012;13 Suppl 1:S31-S39.

  9. van Leerdam ME. Epidemiology of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;22(2):209-24.

  10. Sildiroglu O, Muasher J, Arslan B, Sabri SS, Saad WE, Angle JF, Matsumoto AH, Turba UC. Outcomes of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal nonvariceal hemorrhage referred to interventional radiology for potential embolotherapy. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014;48(8):687-92.

  11. Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Apr;111(4):459-74.

  13. van Dam J, Brugge WR. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. N Engl J Med. 1999;341(23):1738-48.

  15. Lefkovitz Z, Cappell MS, Lookstein R, Mitty HA, Gerard PS. Radiologic diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ischemia. Med Clin North Am. 2002 Nov;86(6):1357-99.

  16. Lee EW, Laberge JM. Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol 2004; 7: 112-22

  18. Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Apr;111(4):459-74.

  19. Chaudhry V, Hyser MJ, Gracias VH, Gau FC. Colonoscopy: the initial test for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Am Surg. 1998 Aug;64(8):723-8.

  20. Cummings CL. Value of early capsular endoscopy for severe gastrointestinal bleeding. J Natl Med Assoc. 2004;96(12):1653-6.

  21. Appleyard M, Glukhovsky A, Swain P. Wireless-capsule diagnostic endoscopy for recurrent small-bowel bleeding. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(3):232-3.

  24. Lim JK, Ahmed A. Endoscopic approach to the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2004 Sep;7(3):123-9.

  25. Nicholson AA, Ettles DF, Hartley JE, et al. Transcatheter coil embolotherapy: a safe and effective option for major colonic haemorrhage. Gut 1998; 43:79–84.

  26. Zuckier LS. Acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Semin Nucl Med. 2003 Oct;33(4):297-311.

  27. Imbembo AL, Diverticular disease of the colon. In: Sabiston D, Editor. Textbook of Surgery (14th edn). Philadelphia, PA:WB Saunders, 1992:910.

  29. Loffroy R, Rao P, Ota S, De Lin M, Kwak BK, Geschwind JF. Embolization of acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resistant to endoscopic treatment: results and predictors of recurrent bleeding. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2010 Dec;33(6):1088-100. doi: 10.1007/s00270-010-9829-7. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

  31. Eriksson LG, Sundbom M, Gustavsson S, Nyman R. Endoscopic marking with a metallic clip facilitates transcatheter arterial embolization in upper peptic ulcer bleeding. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006 Jun;17(6):959-64.

  32. Anthony S, Milburn S, Uberoi R. Multi-detector CT: review of its use in acute GI haemorrhage. Clin Radiol. 2007 Oct;62(10):938-49.

  33. Ernst O, Bulois P, Saint-Drenant S, Leroy C, Paris JC, Sergent G. Helical CT in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(1):114-7

  34. Mirsadraee S, Tirukonda P, Nicholson A, Everett SM, McPherson SJ. Embolization for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage: a systematic review. Clin Radiol 2011;66:500-509.

  35. Loffroy R, Guiu B, D'Athis P, Mezzetta L, Gagnaire A, Jouve JL, Ortega-Deballon P, Cheynel N, Cercueil JP, Krausé D. Arterial embolotherapy for endoscopically unmanageable acute gastroduodenal hemorrhage: predictors of early rebleeding. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 May;7(5):515-23.

  36. Aina R, Oliva VL, Therasse E, et al. Arterial embolotherapy for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: outcome assessment. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2001;12:195-200.

  37. Mirsadraee S, Tirukonda P, Nicholson A, Everett SM, McPherson SJ. Embolization for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage: a systematic review. Clin Radiol 2011;66:500-509.

  38. Loffroy R, Guiu B, Cercueil JP, Lepage C, Latournerie M, Hillon P, Rat P, Ricolfi F, Krausé D. Refractory bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers: arterial embolization in high-operative-risk patients. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr;42(4):361-7.

  39. Loffroy R, Guiu B, D'Athis P, Mezzetta L, Gagnaire A, Jouve JL, Ortega-Deballon P, Cheynel N, Cercueil JP, Krausé D. Arterial embolotherapy for endoscopically unmanageable acute gastroduodenal hemorrhage: predictors of early rebleeding. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 May;7(5):515-23.

  40. Poultsides GA, Kim CJ, Orlando R 3rd, Peros G, Hallisey MJ, Vignati PV. Angiographic embolization for gastroduodenal hemorrhage: safety, efficacy, and predictors of outcome. Arch Surg 2008;143:457-461.

  42. Gordon RL, Ahl KL, Kerlan RK, Wilson MW, LaBerge JM, Sandhu JS, Ring EJ, Welton ML. Selective arterial embolization for the control of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Am J Surg. 1997;174(1):24-8.

  43. Funaki B, Kostelic JK, Lorenz J, Ha TV, Yip DL, Rosenblum JD, et al. Superselective microcoil embolization of colonic hemorrhage. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001;177:829-836 7.

  44. Bandi R, Shetty PC, Sharma RP, Burke TH, Burke MW, Kastan D. Superselective arterial embolization for the treatment of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2001;12:1399-1405.

  45. Maleux G, Roeflaer F, Heye S, Vandersmissen J, Vliegen AS, Demedts I, et al. Long-term outcome of transcatheter embolotherapy for acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Am J Gastroenterol 2009;104:2042-2046

  46. Leitman IM, Paull DE, Shires GT 3rd. Evaluation and management of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Ann Surg 1989;209:175-180

  47. Rosenkrantz H, Bookstein JJ, Rosen RJ, Goff WB 2nd, Healy JF. Postembolic colonic infarction. Radiology 1982;142:47-51.

  48. Koh DC, Luchtefeld MA, Kim DG, Knox MF, Fedeson BC, Vanerp JS, et al. Efficacy of transarterial embolization as definitive treatment in lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Colorectal Dis 2009;11:53-59

  49. Lipof T, Sardella WV, Bartus CM, Johnson KH, Vignati PV, Cohen JL. The efficacy and durability of super-selective embolization in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Dis Colon Rectum 2008;51:301-305

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The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information is implied. No liability is accepted for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The reader assumes sole responsibility for the selection of these materials to achieve its intended results. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

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