Different Performance of Intravertebral Vacuum Clefts in Kümmell's Disease and Relevant Treatment Strategies

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present the different pattern of intravertebral vacuum cleft (IVC) related to high risk of cement complications in minimally invasive treatments for Kümmell's disease (KD) and relevant treatment strategies. METHODS: A retrospective study from January 2016 to January 2018 was conducted at Wuhan Fourth Hospital and comprised 35 patients with Kümmell's disease. There were seven males and 28 females, and the mean age of the patients was 70.4 years. The patterns of IVC in KD were analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups based on the treatment method used. The treatment methods included long‐segment fixation (LSF), posterior short‐segment fixation (SSF), and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). We retrospectively reviewed outcomes, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, anterior height of affected vertebrae, kyphotic Cobb angle, and complications. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12–38 months. According to their radiographic appearance we could observe two main patterns of clefts. Pattern I, clefts that were found to be near to the endplate and connected with intervertebral space, the endplate was incomplete. Pattern II, IVC traversed to anterior edge of the vertebral body affected. Both were related to high risk of cement complications in minimal invasive treatments for KD. Good results have been achieved in LSF and SSF groups, the VAS, ODI, anterior height of affected vertebrae and kyphotic Cobb angle showed statistically significant differences between pre‐ and post‐operation and between pre‐ and final follow‐up (P < 0.05). In PKP group, although the VSA and ODI showed statistically significant differences between pre‐ and post‐operation and between pre‐ and final follow‐up (P < 0.05), we could observe that the VSA and ODI rebounded a little at the final follow‐up. Cement leakage into intervertebral space occurred in four (44.45%) patients of PKP group. CONCLUSIONS: PKP should be chosen carefully if the IVC of the patient presents to be pattern I or II. LSF and SSF are safe and effective, and can achieve satisfactory correction of kyphosis and vertebral height, with pain relief and improvement in patient's daily life, with few complications.