Review
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World J Radiol. Jun 28, 2014; 6(6): 329-343
Published online Jun 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i6.329
Comparative review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
Fernando Ruiz Santiago, Alicia Santiago Chinchilla, Luis Guzmán Álvarez, Antonio Luis Pérez Abela, Maria del Mar Castellano García, Miguel Pajares López
Fernando Ruiz Santiago, Luis Guzmán Álvarez, Maria del Mar Castellano García, Radiology Department, Hospital of Traumatology, 18014 Granada, Spain
Alicia Santiago Chinchilla, Radiology Department, Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
Antonio Luis Pérez Abela, Traumatology Department, Hospital of Traumatology, 18014 Granada, Spain
Miguel Pajares López, Traumatology Department, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, 18012 Granada, Spain
Author contributions: Ruiz Santiago F, Santiago Chinchilla A and Guzmán Álvarez L contributed to study concepts; Ruiz Santiago F, Santiago Chinchilla A, Guzmán Álvarez L and Pérez Abela AL contributed to study design; all authors contributed to data acquisition, manuscript preparation and manuscript review.
Correspondence to: Fernando Ruiz Santiago, Philosophical Doctor, Chairman of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Radiology Department, Hospital of Traumatology, Carretera de Jaen SN, 18014 Granada, Spain. ferusan12@gmail.com
Telephone: +34-627-633829
Received: December 23, 2013
Revised: February 18, 2014
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: June 28, 2014
Processing time: 187 Days and 8.1 Hours
Abstract

The aim of this review is to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty to treat pain and improve functional outcome from vertebral fractures secondary to osteoporosis and tumor conditions. In 2009, two open randomized controlled trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine questioned the value of vertebroplasty in treating vertebral compression fractures. Nevertheless, the practice of physicians treating these conditions has barely changed. The objective of this review is to try to clarify the most important issues, based on our own experience and the reported evidence about both techniques, and to guide towards the most appropriate choice of treatment of vertebral fractures, although many questions still remain unanswered.

Keywords: Vertebroplasty; Kyphoplasty; Osteoporosis; Vertebral fracture; spine metastasis

Core tip: This extended review of current literature on vertebral augmentation is supported by our wide experience in the treatment of vertebral fractures. The most innovative topics are the possibility of treating multilevel vertebral fractures in the same session and the failure of vertebral augmentation due to mechanical disruption of the cement. This is intended to present a thorough review to physicians interested in osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.