Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.15(4) > 1035819

Cho, Sung, Baek, and Park: Treatment of Combined Degenerative Lumbar Disease and Adjacent Vertebral Fracture

Abstract

Study Design

Retrospective study

Objective

To analyze the treatment results of vertebroplasty in patients who suffered osteoporotic compression fractures during conservative treatments for pre-existing degenerative lumbar disease.

Summary and Literature Review

Whilst spinal fusion has shown satisfactory clinical results, solid fusion has been reported to accelerate the degenerative changes at the unfused adjacent levels. Therefore, the level of spinal fusion in patients with compression fractures and pre-existing degenerative lumbar disease is controversial. Few studies have evaluated the outcomes of spinal fusion and adjacent segment vertebroplasty.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review was carried out on 28 patients who suffered the osteoporotic compression fractures during conservative treatment for pre-existing degenerative lumbar disease. Posterolateral fusion and vertebroplasty were performed for degenerative disease and compression fractures. The average fusion level was 1.82. The mean compressed vertebral bodies were 1.68. The radiology results were evaluated to determine the progression of the compression rate and fractures in the adjacent segment. The clinical results were evaluated using the Denis pain scale for compression fractures and Katz satisfaction scale for degenerative lumbar disease.

Results

The average compression rate was 30.2% preoperatively, 21.4% postoperatively, and 24.6% at the final follow-up. There was no fracture in the adjacent segment. Clinically, the preoperative Denis score was P3 and P4 in 8 and 20 patients, respectively. On the other hand, the postoperative Denis score was P1, P2 and P3 in 8, 19 and 1 patients, respectively. In regard to degenerative diseases, the overall satisfaction was 82.1%.

Conclusion

The stability of fracture sites in vertebroplasty of patients with pre-existing lumbar disease was confirmed. However, further compression of the fractured vertebral body was observed after vertebroplasty in long fusion. Therefore, a followup study of more cases will be necessary to confirm the changes in the vertebroplasty site.

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Fig. 1.
59-year old female (A) She is admitted with low back pain radiating to low extremities. Initial x-ray shows severe degenerative changes and osteoporotic compression fracture on L1. (B) MRI show degenerative spinal stenosis on lower lumbar region and osteoporotic compression fracture on L1. (C) We perform multiple decompression, transpedicular fixation, poterolateral fusion from L4-S1 and vertebroplasty on L1. (D) In postoperative 24months, follow-up x-rays show bony union, no changes of adjacent segment on L4-S1 and good augmentation of the fractured vertebral body on L1.
jkss-15-236f1.tif
Fig. 2.
76-year old female (A) She is admitted with low back pain radiating to low extremities. Initial x-ray shows severe degenerative changes, lumbar degenerative scoliosis and osteoporotic compression fracture on T12 (B) MRI show degenerative spinal stenosis on lower lumbar region and osteoporotic compression fracture on T12. (C) We perform multiple decompression, transpedicular fixation, poterolateral fusion from L2-S1 and vertebroplasty on T12. (D) In postoperative 25 months, follow-up x-rays show bony union, no changes of adjacent segment on L2-S1 and good augmentation of the fractured vertebral body on T12
jkss-15-236f2.tif
Table 1.
Denis’ pain scale
Scale Class
P1 No pain
P2 Occasional minimal pain with no need for medication
P3 Moderate pain with occasional medication but no interruption of work or significant change in activities of daily living
P4 Moderate to severe pain with frequent medication and occasional absence from work or significant change in activities of daily living
P5 Constant or severe incapacitating pain, chronic medication
Table 2.
Katz's satisfaction scale
How Satisfied Are You With:
The overall result of back operation?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Relief of pain following the operation?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Your ability to walk following the operation?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Your ability to do housework, yard work, or job following the operation?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Your strength in the thighs, legs, and feet?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Your balance, or steadiness on your feet?
    Very satisfied
    Somewhat satisfied
    Somewhat dissatisfied
    Very dissatisfied
Table 3.
Summary of cases.
No. Age/ Sex Diseases Fusion level Fracture site Vertebroplasty approach T-Score Injection volume (ml) Complication
1 F/76 Stenosis L4-L5 L2 Uni. -5.0 1.5 none
2 F/62 Stenosis L3-L5 T12 Uni. -4.9 2 none
3 F/62 Stenosis L2-L5 T11 Bi -4.8 2.2 none
4 F/76 Stenosis L3-L5 L1 Bi -4.4 1.8 none
5 F/57 Spondylo∗ L4-L5 L2 Bi -4.0 1.7 leakage
6 F/72 Stenosis L5-S1 L2, 3 Bi -5.0 2 none
7 F/62 Stenosis L4-L5 T12, L1, 2, 3 Bi -3.7 1.5:2.5:2:3 none
8 F/60 Stenosis L4-S1 L2 Bi -4.5 2 none
9 F/70 Spondylo&Stenosis L3-L4 L2 Bi -4.6 2.3 leakage
10 F/77 Stenosis L2-S1 T12 Bi -2.7 1.8 none
11 M/57 Spondylo∗ L4-S1 T11, 12, L1, 2 Bi -5.8 1.5 leakage
12 F/62 Stenosis L3-S1 L1 Bi -3.8 2 leakage
13 F/69 Spondylo&Stenosis L4-S1 T12 Bi -4.6 2 none
14 F/59 Stenosis L4-S1 L1 Bi -3.2 1.7 leakage
15 F/65 Stenosis L3-L5 T12 Bi -4.9 2.1 none
16 F/69 Stenosis L3-L5 L2 Bi -3.9 2.5 leakage
17 M/65 Stenosis T10-T12 L2 Uni -2.2 3.0 none
18 F/66 Stenosis T5-T9 L1 Bi -2.3 2.5 none
19 F/61 Stenosis T11-L1 T10 Bi -3.3 1.5 none
20 F/68 Stenosis T11-L1 T10 Bi -1.9 1.5 none
21 F/75 Stenosis L4-S1 T12 Bi -1.6 2.5 none
22 F/75 Stenosis L4-L5 T10, 11, 12, Bi -4.1 2.0 none
        L1, 2, 3        
23 F/62 Stenosis L3-L5 L1, 2 Bi -2.6 2.0 none
24 F/74 Stenosis L4-L5 L1, 2, 3 Bi -1.8 2.0 none
25 F/77 Stenosis L4-L5 L1, 2, 3 Bi -4.1 2.5 none
26 M/81 Stenosis L3-L4 T11, 12 Bi -2.2 2.0 none
27 F/62 Spondylo∗ L4-L5 T12, L1 Bi -1.8 2.0 none
28 F/69 Stenosis L5-S1 T11 Bi -6.5 3.0 leakege

Spondylo

∗: Spondylolisthesis Uni

†: Unipedicular Approach, Bi

‡: Bipedicular Approach

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