Clinical observation of two bone cement distribution modes of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar Kümmell’s disease

BACKGROUND: In recent years, percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has provided a new option for the treatment of Kümmell’s disease (KD). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics, clinical efficacy, and related complications between two types of bone cement distribution patterns in the PVP treatment of KD. METHODS: A total of 63 patients with KD from January 2016 to February 2018 who received PVP treatment were examined at least 24 months. According to X-ray distribution modes of bone cement after PVP treatment, they were divided into 2 groups: blocky group (30 cases) and spongy group (33 cases). Clinical features and disease severity preoperatively, and clinical efficacy and related complications postoperatively were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The two groups were followed for at least 24 months. The duration of disease, age, Cobb angle, and vertebral compression rate preoperatively were significantly higher in the blocky group than in the spongy group (P < 0.05, respectively). The height of vertebral anterior margin and BMD were significantly lower in the blocky group than in the spongy group (P < 0.05, respectively). The amount of bone cement injected was significantly greater in the blocky group than in the spongy group (P = 0.000). VAS and ODI of the two groups were significantly reduced at the first day, the first year, and the last follow-up postoperatively (all P = 0.000) and were maintained at the last follow-up. VAS and ODI postoperatively decreased significantly in the spongy group compared with the blocky group (P = 0.000). The correction degrees of kyphosis and vertebral compression postoperatively in the two groups were significantly corrected, but gradually decreased over time (P < 0.05), and these correction degrees were significantly higher in the blocky group than in the spongy group, and the postoperative losses were also more serious. CONCLUSIONS: The disease was more serious in the blocky group than in the spongy group. The amount of bone cement, correction degrees of postoperative kyphosis and vertebral compression were significantly higher in the blocky group than in the spongy group, but its postoperative losses of the correction degrees of kyphosis and vertebral compression were also more serious. However, for pain relief and functional recovery, the spongy group was superior to the blocky group. Therefore, the spongy distribution pattern should be formed during the injection of bone cement to obtain better therapeutic effect.