Treatment of thoracolumbar compression fracture by computer tomography and C-arm X-ray machine guided percutaneous vertebroplasty

Objective: To evaluate the computed tomography(CT) and C-arm X-ray guided percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) in treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.Methods: Sixty-six cases of thoracolumbar fractures underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty with the guidance of CT and C-arm X-ray machine.The visual analog scale(VAS) was used to assess the effects before and after PVP.Results: The PVP was performed successfully in all the 66 cases(a total of 82 vertebrae).The mean operation time was 30 min per vertebra.The VAS score at 2 weeks after operation(2.8±0.15).Fifty-six patients were followed up for 3-35 months.No recurrence or exacerbation of chest and back pain was noted.The height of the veterbral body had no change,and there was no fracture in the adjacent veterbral bodies.Conclusions: Percutaneous vertebroplasty under the guidance of computer tomography and C-arm X-ray machine is safe and effective for treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.