Abstract
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is known as a common and minimum invasive therapy for osteoporotic vertebral fractures. But recently, severe postoperative complications of PVP have been reported. We report a case who underwent re-operation for foraminal stenosis after PVP.
A 75-year-old woman complained of severe back pain with no trauma. Clinical diagnosis was L2-L3 vertebral wedge compression fracture with posterior wall injury. As the fractured vertebra was losing its height despite conservative therapy, PVP was performed. After the operation, no routine rigid orthosis was reported by the patient. The operated vertebra however started to gradually lose its height with foraminal stenosis and delayed nerve root disorder appeared. She therefore underwent re-operation five months after PVP.
The re-operation technique consisted of L2 partial pediculotomy, L2 laminectomy, and re-PVP of L2. She could walk by picker after the re-operation. We also analyzed the incidence of nerve root disorder. It is important to carefully review the mental state of the patient, characteristics of augmentation, suitability of operation, and postoperative therapy.
