Safety and efficacy of percutaneous Vesselplasty (Vessel-X) in the treatment of symptomatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures

AIM To assess radiological and clinical outcomes, in terms of safety and efficacy, of symptomatic vertebral fractures (VFs) with and without posterior wall and\or both endplates involvement, treated with vesselplasty technique (Vessel-X, Dragon Crown Medical Co., Ltd Shandong, China). METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 66 Patients who underwent 92 vesselplasty procedures, performed for the treatment of symptomatic vertebral body fractures from March 19 to September 2020. We divided the fractures in two subgroups: 36 VFs with posterior wall and/or both endplates involvement, which we defined complex, while all the others were defined simple. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) values has been registered 1 day before the procedure and at 1, 6 and 12 months follow-up. We also evaluated vertebral height restoration (VHR) by comparing pre-interventional with post-interventional imaging. RESULTS 92 vertebrae were treated (58 lumbar, 34 dorsal), with 24 multilevel procedures. We observed a technical success rate of 100%, without major complications; a single case of asymptomatic paravertebral cement leak was reported. Both simple and complex subgroups registered a significative statistical difference in NRS and ODI between preoperative and at 1, 6 and 12 months (p0.05). A significant statistical difference was demonstrated in vertebral height comparing pre-operative and post-operative data (p0,05). No significant difference in VHR was observed between simple and complex VFs groups. CONCLUSIONS: Vesselplasty represents a safe and effective technique for the treatment of both simple and complex painful VFs, granting a significant reduction of symptoms, excellent cement leakage control and proper VHR.