Vertebroplasty

Spinal pain as a result of collapsed vertebrae is often due to osteoporosis, and is an increasing problem in the Western world. In fact, fractures due to osteoporosis are most common in the spine, closely followed by the pelvis/hip and the wrist. Metastatic disease, myeloma, and aggressive vertebral hemangioma may also of course cause collapse and pain. Over the years, the treatment of collapsed vertebrae has varied, and has long been restricted to conservative therapy with analgesics and bedrest. In the past decade, however, there has been increasing interest in using vertebroplasty in the treatment of such cases. Vertebroplasty gives immediate pain relief, with a consequent improvement in everyday activities and reduced pain medication. The advantage to patients is enormous, but also to society in general with reduced costs for care. We are pleased to present three articles on vertebroplasty in this issue of Acta Radiologica. There is a comprehensive review article by Dr Guglielmi et al. covering all aspects of the procedure (indications, contraindications, mechanisms of action, procedure, results, and complications), and there are two scientific articles – one by Dr Komemushi the other by Dr Han – dealing with special technical aspects of the procedure. We hope that these articles will inspire more centers to take up this procedure in handling patients with collapsed vertebral bodies. As radiologists, we are invested with the responsibility to improve the lives of an increasing number of patients suffering from spine pain caused by osteoporosis or malignant infiltration of the vertebral bodies.