A cadaver study to compare vertebral augmentation with a high-viscosity cement to augmentation with conventional lower-viscosity cement.

Study Design: Comparison of extravasations in fractured cadaver vertebrae augmented with commercial low-viscosity versus high-viscosity cements.

Objective: Use of high-resolution, 3-dimensional (3D) imaging to test the hypothesis that high-viscosity cements can reduce the type and severity of extravasations after vertebral augmentation procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: Cement extravasations are one of the primary complications of vertebral augmentation procedures. There is some evidence that high-viscosity cements might reduce extravasations, but additional data are needed to confirm the early findings.

Methods: A range of vertebral fractures were created in fresh human cadavers. One group was then augmented with a low-viscosity polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based cement and the other group injected with high-viscosity PMMA-based cement. High-resolution computerized tomography exams were obtained, and extravasations were assessed using 3D volume renderings. The type and severity of extravasations were recorded and analyzed.

Results: The proportion of vertebrae with any type of extravasation through the posterior wall to the spinal canal, into small vessels laterally or anteriorly, through the endplates, or anywhere around the body was not significantly different between the high-viscosity and low-viscosity groups. There was significantly less severe extravasation through the endplates (P=0.02), and a trend toward less severe extravasation through vessels (P=0.06) with the high versus low-viscosity cements.

Conclusions: In agreement with previous research, high-viscosity PMMA-based cement may help to reduce the more severe forms of extravasations after vertebral augmentation procedures in newly fractured vertebrae.