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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2011; 15(2): 117-124
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275594
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation: The Status of Vertebroplasty and Current Controversies

Rikin Hargunani1 , 2 , Thomas Le Corroller1 , 2 , Khalid Khashoggi1 , 2 , Kieran J. Murphy3 , Peter L. Munk1 , 2
  • 1Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • 2University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • 3Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 April 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Vertebroplasty is a cost-effective procedure for the relief of pain and suffering in the appropriate patient when done by a skilled practitioner under good image guidance. No study has ever shown any cost benefit of any balloon-based osteoporotic spine intervention over simple vertebroplasty. No study has ever shown any benefit of any intravertebral implant over vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fracture. Recent controversy has highlighted weaknesses in our practice of technology evaluation, and we need to address these issues across the board in the future more scientifically then we have done in the past.

KEYWORDS

Vertebroplasty - osteoporotic fracture - pathological fracture - image guidance - simplicity

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Peter L MunkM.D. 

Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital

855 West 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 Canada

Email: peter.munk@vch.ca

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