Risk factors for the development of vertebral fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty

ABSTRACT We have recently observed an increased risk for vertebral fractures (VF) in a randomized controlled trial comparing the analgesic effect of vertebroplasty (VP) versus conservative treatment in symptomatic VF. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors related to the development of VF after VP in these patients. We evaluated risk factors including age, gender, bone mineral density, the number, type, and severity of vertebral deformities at baseline, the number of vertebral bodies treated, the presence and location of disk cement leakage, bone remodeling (determining bone turnover markers) and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels at baseline in all patients. Twenty‐nine radiologically new VF were observed in 17 of 57 patients undergoing VP, 72% adjacent to the VP. Patients developing VF after VP showed an increased prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (