Background: Intradiscal cement leakage (ICL) is a common complication following percutaneous
vertebroplasty (PVP). However, the risk factors for such a complication are under debate and there
is no accurate predictive nomogram to predict ICL.
Objectives: To establish an effective and novel nomogram for ICL following PVP in patients with
osteoporotic-related vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).
Study Design: This was a retrospective study approved by the Institutional Review Board of our
institution.
Setting: This study consists of patients from a large academic center.
Methods: Patients with OVCFs who underwent their first PVP in our department between January
2007 and December 2013 were included in this study. All the potential risk factors of ICL after
PVP were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent
risk factors. The nomogram was then created based on the identified independent risk factors.
Results: A total of 241 patients and 330 vertebrae were included. The mean age of the patients
was 73.5 (SD 7.9) years old, and the mean number of treated vertebrae was 1.4 per person. ICL
was observed in 93 (28.2%) of the treated vertebrae. Greater fracture severity (P = 0.016), cortical
disruption of the endplate (P < 0.0001), absence of Kummell’s disease (P = 0.010), and higher
computed tomography (CT) values (P = 0.050) were the independent risk factors for ICL.
Limitations: The main limitation of this study is that it is a retrospective study.
Conclusion: Greater fracture severity, cortical disruption of the endplate, absence of Kummell’s
disease, and higher CT values are the independent risk factors for ICL. The novel nomogram gives
an accurate prediction of ICL.
Key words: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, percutaneous vertebroplasty,
intradiscal cement leakage, risk factors, prediction, nomogram