Bone densitometry study in a patient with prior kyphoplasty variant of vertebroplasty

A 90-year-old woman with marked osteoporosis had collapse of the L1 and L2 vertebrae. This was associated with marked pain and limitation of motion. By the percutaneous route, a balloon was inserted into each affected vertebra, inflated, and then deflated and withdrawn. Polymethylmethacrylate was infused into the space created via the pedicles. Pain was alleviated the same day. When she was examined 5 months later, a bone density examination (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) revealed a dense infused substance. In L1, the injectate was well defined and the apparent vertebral density was low. However, in L2, the material had spread into more of the vertebra and the overall density was much improved.