gms | German Medical Science

One of the most important alteration in geriatric patients relates to the bone architecture. Typical changes start in cancellous bone, this explains why vertebral bodies are predestined for fractures and the thoracolumbar spine is the most affected area of osteoporotic fractures. Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are the most common fractures in the elderly. The exact incidence is unknown. The worldwide prevalence is about 1.4 million (M) [1]. The economical importance is considerable. In the USA, VCF caused total costs of 1 M US$ in 2005 and will rise up to 1.6 M US$ in 2025 [2]. Treatment of VCF does not depend on morphological criteria, because most VCF are stable lesions. Long lasting pain is the most important factor that finally leads to surgery. Beneficial effects of vertebral body augmentation are demonstrated in various studies and pain reduction is the main effect [3], [4]. Advantageous therapeutic effects are confronted with cement related problems [5], [6], [7] and unclarified subsequent fracture risk [8], [9], [10], [11]. This study examines the importance of prone position during balloon kyphoplasty for the development of additional bone marrow edemas (BME) and thoracolumbar fractures. Earlier studies already reported the possibility of height restoration (reduction) and profile correction in prone position as a phenomenon in fresh VCF with dynamic mobility [12].This aspect was fundamental for our hypothesis that prone position and reduction stress could also lead to new fractures in osteoporotic conditions. Because anaesthetized patients lose the tonus of their autochthon trunk muscles, prone position and additional reduction stress by chest and pelvic pads might overstrain the load bearing capacity of the spine, which may lead to microfractures or bone bruises. Prone positioning seems to have an additional risk in the osteoporotic spine.

This study received an approval from competent ethic committee.

20 patients (6 men, 14 women) with fresh, non traumatic VCFs were included in this study. The average age was 78.4 years (64–94). Only patients older than 60 years were included in this study because of

1.

rising incidence of osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures in the elderly and

2.

we do not perform PMMA cement augmentation in patients under 60 years.

The following inclusion criteria were determined:

• age >60 years
• no trauma
• pain less than 8 weeks
• MRI not older than two weeks
• type A1.1, A1.2 and A1.3 fractures according to Magerl’s classification [13]
• only single fresh fracture in MRI.

Exclusion criteria:

• previous spine surgery
• no consent.

Study period: February 2014 – May 2014.

Fracture classification: Fractures were classified according to Magerl’s classification [13].

Patients were placed in prone position on a radiolucent op table with pads under the chest and pelvis and unstressed abdomen. Arms, knees and feet were padded to prevent nerve stretch and compression. Vertebral body height and alignment were tried to restore by varying pad position – increase/decrease of kyphosis or lordosis. Bilateral balloon kyphoplasty (Joimax SPASY) was performed in a standard manner, using 15 mm balloon in T5–T11 and 20 mm balloon in T12–L3 level. Balloons were inflated under fluoroscopy control up to a maximal volume of 2 ml (T5–T11), respectively 3 ml (T12–L3). The resulting cavity was filled with corresponding amounts of cement (each pedicle: 2 ml: T5–T11 and 3 ml: T12–L3). Consolidation time for PMMA cement (KyphX HV-R, Kyphon^®) was 10 minutes.

MRI examination included sagittal and axial planes of the thoracolumbar spine using 3.0 tesla MRI system (Siemens TIM TRIO). Following sequences were performed:

Preoperative protocol:

• T1-weighted TSE sagittal (TR 526 ms, TE 10 ms, FOV 450 mm, SL 4 mm)
• T2-weighted TSE sagittal (TR 3900 ms, TE 94 ms, FOV 450 mm, SL 4 mm)
• T2-weighted TIRM sagittal (TR 5000 ms, TE 54 ms, FOV 450 mm, fatsupression, SL 4 mm)
• T2-weighted TSE transversal (TR 4250 ms, TE 118 ms, FOV 270 mm, SL 3 mm)

Postprocedural protocol:

Same protocol without T2-weighted TSE sagittal

Fresh fractures and bone marrow edema (bone bruise) were detected by decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted and T2-weighted images with fat suppression (TIRM) [14].

Each MRI was analyzed by the same specialized neuro-radiologist. The extent of bone marrow edema (BME) was assessed in sagittal TIRM images as percentage of volume of the fractured vertebral body. Three groups were classified: minor <25%, moderate 25–75% and severe >75%. Postoperative MRI control was performed within 48 h after surgery. Patients had absolute bed rest until postoperative MRI. BME extent between pre- and postoperative images was classified into less, the same, or more.

Figure 1 [Fig. 1] shows the different types of fractures.

Most fractures were localized at T12 level (30%), followed by L1 (25%) and T10 (15%). 55% of the fractures were localized at the thoracolumbar junction (T12–L1).

Figure 2 [Fig. 2] shows the different fracture levels.

Preprocedural MRI evaluation revealed minor BME extent in one case. The majority revealed moderate and severe edemas (45% moderate, 50% severe). 85% did not show BME extent changes after kyphoplasty. Change of BME extent in postprocedural MRI was detected in 3 patients: one patient with preoperative minor edema showed moderate edema and 2 patients with moderate edemas showed severe edemas in postprocedural MRI. We did not find less extent of BME after kyphoplasty (Figure 3 [Fig. 3]).

Bright rim surrounding the cement on STIR weighted images (hypointense signal on T1-weighted images) represents a necrotic area as result of heat related local vertebral ischemia [15], [16], [17].

We did not recognize bright rim sign in any post-procedural MRI.

Increased signal intensity in both adjacent discs (sagittal TIRM sequence) was seen in one case. In this case, we also found change of BME extent from moderate to severe. In one case we recognized cement extrusion into the cephaled disc space which led to hyperintense signal in TIRM sequence. There was no signal alteration in remote segments, neither in disc spaces, nor in any vertebral bodies. There was no new bone marrow edema and no new fracture, neither in adjacent nor in remote segments (Figure 4 [Fig. 4]).

We identified two cement extrusions: one into the upper disc space and one anteriorly, protruding into the retroperitoneal space.

Reduced bone mineral density is responsible for less mechanical stability with subsequent height loss and finally VCF in osteoporotic conditions. Interestingly, only 30% of all fractures become symptomatically [18]. Patients with long lasting pain, missing recovery and pain related immobilization, may benefit of minimally invasive vertebral cement augmentation [3], [4], [19]. Balloon kyphoplasty is one of the most common augmentation techniques and well investigated. Pain reduction is a crucial effect, which is well confirmed, even 2 years after kyphoplasty [4]. Additional to pain reducing effect, operative therapy is important for preservation of balanced spine profile. Especially in thoracic spine, vertebral compression fractures may lead to progressive kyphosis, deformity and restriction of pulmonary function [20]. In spite of its beneficial effects, risks of minimally invasive surgery related complications should not be underestimated: cement leakage up to 33% [21], pulmonary embolism up to 23% [22], neurologic deficits in 3.7%, spinal cord compression in 0.5% [21], [23]. Further, a not finally solved phenomenon is the presence of adjacent level and subsequent fractures after vertebral body augmentation. Reviewing the literature, three main hypotheses are discussed:

1.

New fractures after cement augmentation may develop due to progress of disease – untreated osteoporosis [24].

2.

New fractures after cement augmentation may develop due to too large cement volumes and increased stiffness [5].

3.

New fractures after cement augmentation may result due to kyphotic deformity [8], [9].

The risk of subsequent fractures rises with the number of pre-existing deformities, independently of the bone quality. Three and more present fractures have a 35-fold increased subsequent fracture risk [8], [9]. Adjacent level fracture risk is also increased by increased vertebral body stiffness in case of too large cement volumes [5]. Finite element analysis demonstrated optimal volumes of 3.5 cm³, to restore the original stiffness in vertebral bodies. Larger amounts increase the stiffness above original values [6]. Due to excessive augmentation, the cement acts like a pillar with reduction of the physiologically endplate concavity or even convex deformity. The intradiscal pressure is increased up to 19% [7], resulting in adjacent level fractures [10], [11]. Other authors assert that progressive kyphotic deformity is responsible for subsequent fractures. Wedge formation may lead to an anterior load shift with increased bending moments and additionally compression of the anterior column [8], [9].

These explanations demonstrate that the risk of subsequent and adjacent level fractures after cement augmentation is not finally clarified. Studies reported an incidence of subsequent fractures after balloon kyphoplasty between 7 and 26% [25], [26], [27], [28], [29]. Regarding onset of recurrent fractures, most authors report a peak within 12 months [4], [30], [31]. Trout et al. reported an early onset within 30 days, with high risk in case of cement extrusion into the disc space [32]. Fribourg et al. reported an increased incidence of subsequent vertebral fractures after kyphoplasty within 60 days after balloon kyphoplasty [27]. Finally, exact date is not clarified. It is not excluded, that early bony changes take already place during kyphoplasty procedure.

Reviewing the literature, the authors did not find any study that examines the role of prone position as an independent risk factor for new fractures in osteoporotic spine.

With respect to the biomechanical findings described above, peri-procedural conditions during kyphoplasty may be decisive. General anaesthesia with full muscle relaxation prevents muscular trunk stabilization in prone position. Pads under chest and pelvis increase mechanical loads by eccentric forces. This might be enough to overstrain the weak bone consistency in osteoporotic spine and lead to microfractures. These microfractures are the beginning of continuing height loss and should be detected immediately after kyphoplasty. Magnetic resonance tomography is the method of choice. MR imaging is the gold standard to prove fresh lesions [33] with a reported sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 98.7% for fresh vertebral fractures [34]. It is the modality of choice to assess traumatic lesions [35]. MRI is able to detect fresh lesions, before vertebral body height loss is visible in X-ray and computed tomography. Acute vertebral fractures and BME are most sensitive detected in sagittal STIR images [14], [15], [36], [37], [38], [39]. Bone marrow pathologies are best evaluated in T1-weighted sequences on 3 Tesla MRI [40]. However, the crucial question is, when can first signal changes be detected in MRI. The authors did find no study that examined the time, when BME arises first. On the other hand, it is well known, how long these signal alterations are detectable. BME decreases gradual over time with complete vanishing after three months in 35%, at 6 months in 54% and 12 months in 71% [15], [39]. To the authors opinion, the best way to detect fresh lesions immediately after kyphoplasty procedure, is by 3 Tesla MRI.

In our study, evaluation of 20 post procedural 3 Tesla MRI by one spezialized neuro radiologist did show no new bone marrow edema and no new fracture in adjacent and remote segments. 85% did not show BME extent changes within the augmented vertebral body in post procedural MRI. We did not find less extent of BME after kyphoplasty. We did not recognize bright rim sign in any post-procedural MRI. In one case we found increased signal intensity in sagittal TIRM sequence in both adjacent discs. In this case, we also found change of BME extent from moderate to severe. In one case we recognized cement extrusion into the cephaled disc space and increased signal intensity in TIRM sequence.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the risk of prone position during balloon kyphoplasty and new vertebral compression fractures in generally anesthetized patients in osteoporotic spine. Benefit of this study was standardized operative protocol with determined volumes of balloon inflation and cement amounts in thoracic and lumbar levels to reduce the well-known cement related subsequent fracture risk. Further, we used identical MRI protocols and received each MRI within 48 hours after kyphoplasty. Because patients had bed rest till they received MRI, we minimized additional risks of signal alterations. Interobserver variability was reduced by MRI evaluation by only one specialized neuro-radiologist.

On the other hand, this study has some limitations. We did not measure bone mineral density (BMD) to proof osteoporosis. We defined osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture by average age older than 60 years, no recent trauma and typical findings in MRI, which was not older than two weeks. Postoperative MRI was not blinded to preoperative MRI. It was the aim to detect extent changes of BME, new bone marrow edema and new fractures. So we think it is important to compare these findings to the pre-procedural MRI. Further, we often recognized preexisting degenerative findings. It was important for us to look if these findings changed or increased post-procedural.

We performed post-procedural MRI within 48 hours. As mentioned above, the authors did not find studies that examined the beginning of MRI signal changes. It might be that these changes occur later and we could not have detected them. But if we had performed post-procedural MRI later, the risk of further factors influencing MRI signal intensity would also rise. The main limitation is the small number of patients (20 patients). This reveals only fractures if the prevalence is higher than 5%. If prevalence was close to 1%, 100 patients would be needed. On the other hand, there is a reported incidence of subsequent fractures after balloon kyphoplasty between 7 and 26% with a peak within 12 months. This means that these fractures could occur also within the first days after kyphoplasty. And than prone position could play a major role for secondary vertebral compression fractures in osteoporotic spine.

Kyphoplasty is well established in the treatment of osteoporotic VCF. The risk of adjacent level and subsequent fractures is not fully clarified. Various causes are discussed. The influence of prone position and external reduction stress is not investigated yet. This is the first consecutive MRI study, which examines the role of prone position in kyphoplasty treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The aim of this study was to examine, if prone position in anaesthetized patients is an independent risk factor for new fractures in osteoporotic conditions.

MRI evaluation of 20 thoracolumbar VCF, immediately after balloon kyphoplasty treatment, did not show bone marrow edema (bone bruise) and new vertebral compression fracture in adjacent and remote segments. Accordingly, prone position has no risk for adjacent level fractures in osteoporotic spines.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.