Abstract
It is unusual for vertebral burst fractures based on osteoporosis of the vertebral bodies to cause paresis. As the detailed etiology of the paresis still remains to be elucidated, various therapies have been applied for such cases. This report mainly describes the therapy we have applied in six cases.
The mean age of the patients was 74, ranging from 51 to 86. They included three males and three females. Anterior decompression and fusion was performed on two patients and posterior decompression on one. Conservative therapy was performed on three patients. Mean follow up time after therapy was 8 months (1∼19 months). The paresis has receded (Frankel C→D, E) in every patient except one who is still in bed with pneumonia.
In principle we should choose anterior decompression and fusion in all cases of burst fracture. However, considering the osteoporosis as well as advanced ages of such patients, it is not always justified to choose anterior surgeries instead of posterior surgeries or conservative treatments. We must follow up each case for a long time.
