Vertebroplasty: Patient and treatment variations studied through parametric computational models.

Background: Vertebroplasty is increasingly used in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. However there are concerns that this intervention may lead to further fractures in the adjacent vertebral segments. This study was designed to parametrically assess the influence of both treatment factors (cement volume and number of augmentations), and patient factors (bone and disc quality) on the biomechanical effects of vertebroplasty.

The biomechanics of vertebroplasty in multiple myeloma and metastatic bladder cancer: a preliminary cadaveric investigation.

Object: The vertebral column is the most common site for secondary bone metastases and lesions arising from hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma (MM). These infiltrations can be lytic in nature and cause severe weakening of the vertebral body, an increased risk of fracture, and spinal cord compression leading to neurological deficit. Qualitatively it is apparent that increasing infiltration of these lytic lesions will have a deleterious effect on the mechanical behavior of the vertebrae.

Preliminary biomechanical evaluation of prophylactic vertebral reinforcement adjacent to vertebroplasty under cyclic loading.

Background Context: Percutaneous vertebroplasty has become a favored treatment option for reducing pain in osteoporotic patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Short-term results are promising, although longer-term complications may arise from accelerated failure of the adjacent vertebral body.

Purpose: To provide a preliminary biomechanical assessment of prophylactic vertebral reinforcement adjacent to vertebroplasty using a three-vertebra cadaveric segment under dynamic loads that represent increasing activity demands.

The biomechanical effectiveness of prophylactic vertebroplasty: a dynamic cadaveric study.

Object: The purpose of the study was to investigate the segmental effects of prophylactic vertebroplasty under increasingly demanding loading conditions and to assess the effect of altered cement properties on the construct biomechanics.

Methods: Twelve human cadaveric 3-vertebral functional spinal units (T12-L2) were prepared such that the intact L-1 vertebra was prophylactically augmented with cements of differing elastic moduli (100, 50, 25, and 12.5% modulus of the base cement).

A biomechanical investigation of vertebroplasty in osteoporotic compression fractures and in prophylactic vertebral reinforcement.

Study Design: Cadaveric single vertebrae were used to evaluate vertebroplasty as a prophylactic treatment and as an intervention for vertebral compression fractures.

Objective: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of prophylactic reinforcement and postfracture augmentation of cadaveric vertebrae.

Summary Of Background Data: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a treatment option for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Spinal cord-fragment interactions following burst fracture: an in vitro model.

Object: The purpose of the study was to develop an in vitro model of the bone fragment and spinal cord interactions that occur during a burst fracture and further the understanding of how the velocity of the bone fragment and the status of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) affect the deformation of the cord.

Methods: An in vitro model was developed such that high-speed video and pressure measurements recorded the impact of a simulated bone fragment on sections of explanted bovine spinal cord. The model simulated the PLL and the posterior elements.