Computed tomography-guided vertebroplasty using a stereotactic guidance system (stereo-guide).

Background: In order to make it easy to perform computed tomography (CT)-guided vertebroplasty a stereotactic guidance system called the "stereo-guide" was designed. A method to perform CT-guided vertebroplasty using this system is described.

Methods: The device is a rectangular flat plastic block. One of the flat surfaces of the block has deeply grooved protractor markings at 5-degree intervals; ranging from 0 to 30 degrees. The procedure is performed on the CT table. Based on distances and angle measurements obtained from CT images the device is placed on an appropriate location on the back of the patient and the needle is advanced to the target through the pedicle guided by the grooves on the device. Ten procedures were performed in nine patients with lumbar and thoracic pathology.

Results: The system was easy to use and proved to be accurate. No complication resulted from the procedure.

Conclusion: The stereo-guide proved to be simple and easy to use. Intraoperative scans helped to plan the trajectory and follow the injection of the cement.