ABSTRACT
Kyphoplasty is a technique using an inflatable bone tamp to first create a cavity in the collapsed vertebral body in preparation for cement insertion. It has a number of potential advantages, including lower risk of cement extravasation and better restoration of vertebral body height. A cannula is introduced into the vertebral body, via a transpedicular or extrapedicular route, followed by insertion of an inflatable bone tamp, which when inflated, reduces the compression fracture and restores the vertebral body toward its original height. Osteolytic vertebral body compression fractures pose a significant problem producing spinal deformity, pain, reduced pulmonary function, and morbidity, as well as overall increase in mortality in the elderly and those suffering from cancer. Skeletal metastases are produced by almost all forms of malignant disease but are most often secondary to carcinomas of the breast, lung, prostate, kidneys, and less frequently thyroid and gastrointestinal carcinomas.
