Percutaneous vertebroplasty: an update.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an imaging-guided interventional technique in which surgical polymethylmethacrylate is injected via a large bore needle into a painful compressed vertebral body. This technique is safe and effective, and provides increased strength and pain relief in vertebrae weakened by bone diseases. Among the current indications for vertebroplasty are intractable nonradicular pain caused by compression fractures due to osteoporosis, myeloma, metastasis, and aggressive vertebral hemangioma. Contraindications include bleeding disorder, unstable fracture, and lack of definable vertebral collapse. The preprocedural evaluation, technique, complications, and expected results of performing this procedure are also reviewed.