Post-augmentation Burst Fracture at the Same Fractured Vertebra

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman was admitted for management of low back pain from compression fracture on L3 vertebral body. Vertebroplasty was performed, and she discharged without any neurologic deficit. She revisited our institute with low back pain with sciatica but without myelopathy after three months. At admission image studies revealed fractured bony particles caused canal encroachment on the same level vertebrae. Surgical management was perfor- med including wide posterior decompression and transpedicular screw fixation on L2, L3, and L4 with posterolateral bony fusion. Authors present a rare case of post-augmentation fracture led to spinal fusion. Additionally, we suggest that filling material for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty should be, as much as possible, inserted into the posterior half of vertebral body to prevent the refracture or burst fracture.