The value of homogenous hyperintensity signal on the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Abstract Background To compare the clinical efficacy of conservative treatment and percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture bearing homogenous hyperintensity signals on magnetic resonance imaging and explore the value of homogenous hyperintensity signal in decision making for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture treatment. Methods From January 2016 to December 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the radiographic and clinical data of 114 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture bearing homogenous hyperintensity signals on magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were divided into a percutaneous vertebroplasty group (60 cases) and a conservative treatment group (54 cases). The visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index score, Short Form 36 questionnaire score, kyphosis angle, anterior vertebral body height, and bone union rate were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in visual analog scale, Oswestry disability index score, and Short Form 36 questionnaire score between the two groups at the three-month and one-year follow-ups (P > 0.05). All 60 patients in the percutaneous vertebroplasty group achieved bone union at the one-year follow-up at a rate of 100%. In the conservative treatment group, one patient did not achieve bone union, and the bone union rate was 98.1%. There was no significant difference in the bone union rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions For patients with a homogenous hyperintensity signal, percutaneous vertebroplasty had equivalent efficacy to the conservative treatment at the long-term follow-up. Both percutaneous vertebroplasty and conservative treatment can achieve satisfactory results.