Analysis of recurrent fracture of a new vertebral body after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of recurrent fracture of a new vertebral body after percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporosis.

METHODS: 29 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients were divided into two groups: 14 patients with recurrent fracture of a new vertebral body after vertebroplasty comprised the new fracture group and there were 15 patients without recurrent fracture in the control group. The following variables were reviewed: age, body mass index (BMI), history of fractures, history of metabolic disease, anti-osteoporosis therapy, type of back brace used, bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hip, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum calcium and phosphorus, and time since vertebroplasty.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patients in the new fracture group were statistically significantly different with respect to BMI (t = 2.538, P = 0.027), BMD of the lumbar spine (t = 2.761, P = 0.015), BMD of the hip (t = 2.367, P = 0.037) and iPTH (t = 2.711, P = 0.017). Twelve (86%) of the 14 patients' new vertebral fractures occurred within six months after treatment of the initial fracture, and 10 (71%) fractures were adjacent to those previously treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of patients with osteoporosis develop new fractures after vertebroplasty; two-thirds of these new fractures occur in vertebrae adjacent to those previously treated. The following variables influence the outcome: BMI, history of fractures, history of metabolic diseases and medications, BMD of lumbar spine and hip, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and use of back brace.