SURGICAL OUTCOME OF THORACOLUMBAR SPINE TRAUMA IN OSTEOPOROTIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic osteopathy caused by various factors that decrease bone density and bone mass, leading to bone microstruture disruption and increased bone fragility 1. Thoracolumbar fractures are common types of traumatic fractures in osteoporotic patients, that compromises the patients quality of life. Cement based surgical treatments play an crucial role in vertebral fracture management 2. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are used to afford quick pain relief and improve life quality 3. Unstable vertebral fractures may require pedicle screw instrumentation 4-6. Loosening and displacement of pedicle screw can occur after fixation surgery of osteoporotic vertebral bodies. The above problems can be resolved with bone cement- enhanced pedicle screws, which strengthen pedicle-screw interface and enhance the pull out strength of osteoporotic vertebrae7. The cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw (CICPS) system is a new spinal fixation system useful in the management of osteoporotic spinal diseases. Biomechanical and finite-element analyses performed in-vitro have shown CICPS system inproves the stability of fixation and reduces the risk of loosening and displacement of pedicle screw. Preliminary clinical studies on the use of CICPS in osteoporotic patients by Dai et al showed that CICPS can effectively relieve symptoms such as pain, improve the stability of internal fixation system, and reduce the risk of complications8. However, limited data are available on the applications of CICPS in spinal fractures. Title: Surgical outcome of thoracolumbar spine trauma in osteoporotic patients. Objective: 1. To describe clinical and radiological characteristics of thoracolumbar spine trauma in osteoporotic patients. 2. To evaluate surgical outcome of thoracolumbar spine trauma in osteoporotic patients.