Background. Percutaneous
vertebroplasty involves the injection of acrylic surgical cement into the vertebral body. The basic principles of
vertebroplasty and the authors' own clinical experiences are described. Material and methods. Between November 1999 and January 2005 the authors performed percutaneous
vertebroplasty on 75 patients: 45 with osteoporotic
compression fractures, 15 with angiomas of the vertebral bodies, and 12 patients with
spinal neoplasms. There were also 3 patients with coexisting spinal angiomas and osteoporotic
compression fractures. All these patients were treated under
local anesthesia. Cement
injections were realized by the transpedicular approach under fluoroscopic guidance; in certain cases a CT-guided approach was used. The clinical outcome was assessed based on follow-up examinations, the Oswestry questionnaire, and the Visual Analog
Pain Scale. Plain x-rays or CT scans were made for purposes of radiological evaluation. Results. Follow-up examinations revealed
pain relief or significant reduction of
pain in 89% of the patients. In 2 cases (3%)
vertebroplasty was complicated by intracanal leakage of cement. Conclusions. Percutaneous
vertebroplasty is well tolerated by patients. Filling with cement is effective in the treatment of osteoporotic
compression fractures and of vertebral angiomas.