Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Abstract

Percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two procedures which have revolutionised spine care in the last decade or so. Vertebroplasty is basically a procedure in which acrylic bone cement is injected into the vertebral body. Kyphoplasty is a similar cementing procedure but in this technique a special balloon is inserted into the vertebral body which inflates thereby increasing the height of the body. Vertebroplasty was first described by Galibert P etal1 in 1987 to treat a case of angioma in France. Since then many centres have carried out these procedures all over the world. These two procedures were originally described for osteoporotic spinal collapse, but later have found use in many other indications such as malignancy.