J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2001 Sep;8(3):242-247. 10.4184/jkss.2001.8.3.242.

Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture with Myelopathy

• Lee KY
• Kim CH
• Shin SH

• KMID: 2209741
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2001.8.3.242

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of surgical treatment in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture associated myelopathy.
OBJECTIVES
To evaulate the clinical outcome of anterior decompression and fusion for osteoporotic vertebral fracture associated with myelopathy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Major treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture were conservative methods. In patients with myelopathy, surgical treatment is recommanded.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1995 to December 1998, twelve patients who had osteoporotic vertebral fracture associated with myelopathy and treated by operation were evaluated retrospectively. With simple roentgenography and dual energy absorptiometry, osteoporosis was evaluated. And with MRI and nerve conduction velocity test, we could diagnosed myelopathy. In ten patients, anterior approach was used, and in two patients, posterior approach was used.
RESULTS
In all patients after operation, the neurologic symptoms according to the Frankel grading scale were improved over one grade and follow-up X-ray showed bone union finding unrelated to the site, shape, and severity of fracture. No significant complications such as increasing of kyphotic angle and metal loosening were existed in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
For the osteoporotic vertebral fracture associated with myelopathy, we can treat properly with spinal decompression and interbody fusion with internal fixation.

Keyword

Spine; Vertebral fracture; Osteoporosis; Myelopathy; Operation

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neural Conduction
Neurologic Manifestations
Osteoporosis
Radiography
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord Diseases*
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1. 66-year-old female. She was treated with T12 anterior decompression and T11-L1 anterior interbody fusion. Fig. 1-A. Preoperative X-ray shows severe compression fracture of T12 vertebral body. Fig. 1-B. Preoperative MRI shows compression of T12 spinal cord. Fig. 1-C. Immediate postoperative X-ray shows autogenous bone graft and plate and screws fixation state. Fig. 1-D. Postoperative one year X-ray shows well maintained state of plate and screws, and bone union of graft site.

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