Sefano Marcia MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Mariangela Marras MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stefano Marini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giorgio Mallarini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study is to prove the effectiveness of a biomaterial (hydroxyapatite) instead of PMMA in the treatment of the interposed vertebra in course of percutaneous vertebroplastic or of a vertebral body exposed to high risk of fracture.

From January 2007 to October 2007, during vertebroplastic multilevel procedures on twelve patients (8 females, 4 males), we treated 14 vertebral bodies interposed by the vertebras treated with PMMA by means of injection of 1cc of hydroxyapatite (Sintlife) through 10 and 13 Gauge bevel-edge needles (Gangi type). Patients had been previously evaluated with X-Ray, CT, MRI T1w and T2w STIR and DEXA. All the procedures were executed with local anaesthesia under digital fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were evaluated with VAS score before and after the procedure and by means of CT, MRI and DEXA after 1, 3 and 6 months.

We have obtained a progressive reduction of the pain in all the patients, a progressive reduction of bone edema evaluated through MRI T2w STIR and a progressive increase of the mineral bony density evaluated through CT and DEXA. No complications arose.

Our preliminary studies prove that biomedic hydroxyapatite could result in being an actual substitute of PMMA in the treatment of vertebras exposed to a high risk of fracture but not damaged yet.

Biomedical hydroxihapatitis represents a promising tool to reduce the risk of new fractures in interposed vertebra.

Marcia, S, Marras, M, Marini, S, Mallarini, G, Treatment with Hydroxyapatite of Vertebral Bodies Exposed to a High Risk of Fracture During Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Preliminary Experience.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6018229.html