Vertebroplasty and Balloon-Assisted Vertebroplasty (Kyphoplasty) are minimally invasive procedures in which a bone cement is injected into the spine in order to relieve the pain from certain spine fractures.
Who may benefit from Vertebroplasty?

Most compression fractures of the spine will heal well in 4-6 weeks with bed rest and bracing. However, in some people the pain from these fractures persists. The pain and resulting disability may have a major impact on quality of life. Vertebroplasty is a relatively new pain relief option for these people.

Problems that may be treated in this fashion include but are not limited to:

  • Painful compression fractures resulting from osteoporosis.
  • Painful compression fractures associated with cancer.
  • Rare painful benign blood vessel expansions.
  • Some painful fractures from trauma.
Candidates must be carefully evaluated to ensure that the pain is truly caused by the compression fracture. When a careful evaluation is performed, the success rate is very high. When the procedure is performed by experienced physicians with advanced imaging equipment, it is a very safe procedure as well.
Preprocedure evaluation at DHMC

Entry into our fracture treatment program starts with a referral from a physician. We schedule a 1/2 hour interview and examination. We discuss the procedure and its risks and benefits, and we review all useful imaging studies. A unique treatment plan is made for each person. In some cases, additional tests (for example, MRI or bone scan) are needed. All of these tests can be obtained at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center or at any high quality imaging facility. Once these tests are complete, the procedure can usually be scheduled within the next several days.

The procedure at DHMC
The procedure is performed in our state-of-the-art interventional radiology suite using biplane fluoroscopy to guide the placement of the needles, balloon devices, and cement. The procedure is performed under sterile conditions by radiologists trained specifically in these techniques. All patients are given intravenous sedation or general anesthesia to improve comfort and are constantly monitored by the radiology nurses or anesthesiologists. Total time for the treatment of one level is about 1-1 1/2 hours. There is a minimum 2 hour recovery period in the interventional radiology suite. Long term follow up is performed by the referring physician or by the interventional radiologist as circumstances dictate.

To discuss or refer a patient

  call:  
    (603) 650-7480
  or write:  
   

Jill Grodan, coordinator
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty Program
Department of Radiology
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756.
Additional information

There are many excellent sources for information on vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. We recommend the following:

Review articles:

    Watts, N.B., Harris, S.T., Genant, H.K. Treatment of Painful Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty. Osteoporosis International 12:429-437, 2001.

    Mathis, J.M., Barr, J.D., Belkoff, S.M., Barr, M.S., Jensen, M.E., Deramond, H. Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Developing Standard of Care for Vertebral Compression Fractures. American Journal of Neuroradiology 22:373-381, 2001.

Web sites:

Neuroradiology Home

DHMC Radiology

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center