Vertebroplasty: benefits are more than risks in selected and evidence-based informed XXXX . A retrospective study of 59 cases.

@entity3604 @entity1 @entity174 @entity2695 @entity170 @entity3814 @entity615 @entity158 @entity717
@entity3814 represent a frequent pathology among elderly population, with potentially devastating consequences. More than 20  years have passed since percutaneous vertebroplasty was initially used in the treatment of @entity2695 , representing nowadays a widely used treatment for @entity3604 . The authors present a retrospective review of 59 consecutive @entity1 (in total 94 fractured levels) that underwent polymethylmethacrylate percutaneous vertebroplasty for @entity3814 due to senile or secondary @entity170 . All @entity174 were free from neurologic involvement and were classified as A1 type according to Magerl classification. All of @entity1 were initially treated conservatively, by application of orthosis that allows immediate deambulation. At control, @entity1 who complained of @entity158 and limitation of daily activities underwent MRI. If presence of marrow signal changes, especially hypertense signal in T2-weighted images was confirmed, percutaneous vertebroplasty procedure was performed (we could call it "sub-acute" procedure). A limited group of @entity1 that did not tolerate brace and had an insufficient @entity158 control underwent vertebroplasty "in acute", few days after @entity174 . Immediate post-operative @entity158 reduction and follow-up clinical outcome (estimating quality of @entity615 ) were evaluated by means of Visual Analogue Scale, SF-36 and @entity717 Index. In the immediate post-operative course a significant @entity158 relief was found in 39 @entity1 (66.1%), moderate @entity158 relief in 17 (28.8%), while 3 (5.1%) did not achieve relevant @entity158 improvement. @entity158 intensity and life quality was maintained within satisfactory limits after a mean follow-up of 16  months. In conclusion, percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective and safe procedure for treating @entity3814 in the elderly. It provides immediate @entity158 relief and allows early mobilization, thus avoiding potentially severe complications related to persistent back @entity158 and prolonged bed rest. When performed by experienced surgeon complication rate is low, representing a safe procedure, able to provide a satisfactory outcome.
