Preliminary results with modified techniques of balloon kyphoplasty for vertebra plana, traumatic fractures and neoplasms.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are less invasive treatment options than open surgery for patients with vertebral compression fractures. With balloon kyphoplasty, the injection of bone cement is preceded by inflation and removal of bone tamps (balloons) inside the fractured vertebral body. This allows for the creation of a void, where viscous cement is delivered resulting in a lower risk for cement leakage than with vertebroplasty. Another advantage of the balloon inflation is the potential to correct the deformity and restore sagittal alignment. The percutaneous techniques normally require intact pedicles and intact posterior elements. We found that modifying the technique made it suitable for the management of vertebra plana, traumatic fractures, and neoplasms. Our study documents the different modified techniques and the clinical results obtained within the first 21 patients.