Who should receive vertebroplasty?

Abstract

Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been used to treat aggressive vertebral hemangiomas, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, and vertebral lesions from metastatic disease or myeloma. Consider it for patients with severe acute or chronic pain related to one of these lesions who have failed a reasonable course of medical therapy (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on structured reviews of observational studies). Contraindications include an uncorrectable coagulation disorder, infection in the area, spinal cord compression, destruction of the posterior wall of the vertebral body, and severe degrees of vertebral body collapse (SOR: B, based on structured reviews of observational studies). Pain relief from vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral fractures may be less for older fractures (SOR: C).