Vertebroplasty - a new treatment for vertebral compression fractures.

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk of a vertebral body compression fracture is 16% for women and 5% for men. Vertebroplastyn involves the injection of artificial bone cement and an opacifier into the inter-trabecular marrow space of the fractured vertebra. OBJECTIVE: This article describes vertebroplasty as a treatment of vertebral compression fractures. DISCUSSION: Treatment for vertebral compression fractures regardless of aetiology has been largely conservative and directed toward pain control. Vertebroplasty has gained popularity since 1987 for treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Vertebroplasty is a safe, effective, and cost effective procedure when performed in an appropriate technical environment by adequately trained interventional radiologists.