Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive and safe surgical technique.
OBJECTIVE: To overview the current status and new advancement of cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty.
METHODS: The first author searched the literatures related to cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty in the PubMed and CNKI databases (1980/2012) using the keywords of “percutaneous vertebroplasty, cement leakage” in English and Chinese, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The aim of this procedure is to enhance the mechanical strength of the vertebra and obtain pain relief. It can avoid the complications of open vertebroplasty and have broken a new ground for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and vertebral metastases. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been widely accepted by the doctors and patients due to its simple procedure, low complication rate and effect in alleviating pain. However, percutaneous vertebroplasty is not free of complications, especially associated with cement leakage. Although extravasations of polymethylmetharylate during percutaneous vertebroplasty are usually asymptomatic, devastating complications may occur. To determine the reasons of cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty will help us to make preventive strategies, reduce complications and promote the security of the procedure.