Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Kummell Disease with Severe Spinal Canal Stenosis

Background: Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been proven as an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of Kummell’s disease in the early stages. However, a risk of cement leakage and further neurological damage remains during and after PKP, especially in chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell’s disease with severe spinal canal stenosis. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of PKP for the treatment of chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell’s disease with severe spinal canal stenosis. Study Design: A retrospective evaluation of postoperative radiographs. Setting: Pain management clinic. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 9 patients with 11 levels managed with PKP for chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell’s disease with severe spinal canal stenosis. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed. Results: Substantial pain relief was attained in all the patients. Both visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores improved significantly from pre- to post-operation (P < 0.05), and remained unchanged at every follow-up. No neurological deterioration was found. Postoperatively, the anterior and midline vertebral body heights were significantly corrected (P < 0.05), and were sustained at the final follow-up. Similar results were seen in the correction of kyphotic angle. Neither cement leakage into the spinal canal nor further dislodging of the posterior vertebral fragments occurred. Two cases experienced subsequent fractures with one having a second PKP and the other being treated conservatively. Limitations: Retrospective study of 9 cases with 11 levels due partly to the rarity of the disorder. Conclusions: PKP is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell’s disease with severe spinal stenosis, leading to a significant relief of symptoms and improvement of functional status. Institutional Review: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Key words: Kummell’s disease, kyphoplasty, spine, osteoporosis, cement leakage, polymethylmethacrylate, neurological deficits, burst fractures