Excerpt from Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: PVP, cement injection, polymethylmethacrylate injection, PMMA, spine, vertebral fracture, vertebral malignancy, vertebral hemangioma, percutaneous vertebroplasty

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Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided therapy used to strengthen a broken vertebra (spinal bone) that has been weakened by osteoporosis or, less commonly, cancer. It also relieves the pain. Initially, the major indication was aggressive spinal hemangioma, but with experience, other indications have emerged. Vertebroplasty can prevent further vertebral collapse, increase the patient's functional abilities, and help achieve to the previous level of activity.

PVP usually involves percutaneous injection of a cement, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), into the vertebral bodies. Occasionally, PMMA has been placed manually into vertebral lesions during open surgical operations.

PVP with PMMA was performed first in 1984 and has been promoted by Jensen and Dion at the University of Virginia in the United States.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Back, Ribs, Neck, and Head Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Vertebral Compression Fracture.

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