Search Results (8)

Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) navigated transsacral screw fixation in patients with sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) who experienced inadequate mobilization after conservative management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 53 patients (mean [±standard deviation] age 78.7 [±10.8] years; range 43.7–92.4; 81.1% female) with sacral insufficiency fractures confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Documented osteoporosis was present in 28 (52.8%) of these patients. All had failed conservative management due to persistent sacral pain or inability to mobilize. Therefore, they underwent 3D-navigated transsacral screw fixation. We collected data on demographics, fracture classification (FFP system), pain levels (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), opioid consumption, time to mobilization, and length of hospital stay. Clinical outcomes were recorded at discharge, 1 month, and 3 months post-op; telephone interviews were conducted between 1 January and 28 February 2024 to assess longer-term pain relief and functional status. Results: Using the fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) classification, 60.8% of patients had FFP IIa fractures, 11.8% had FFP IIc, and 21.6% had FFP IVb. Two transsacral screws were placed in 34.0% of cases and three in 38.0%. We observed significant postoperative pain reduction—median (interquartile range [IQR]) VAS-at-rest decreased from 5 (4) preoperatively to 2 (2) at discharge and 0 (1) at 3 months (p < 0.001)—along with reduced opioid use (from 92.5% of patients on the immediate postoperative day to 45.0% at 3 months, p = 0.003). Early mobilization was achieved in 96.2% of patients. The mean hospital stay was 11.7 ± 5.1 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.3–13.2; range 3–25 days), with the few outlier cases (>21 days) attributable to medical complications or delayed rehabilitation placement. The overall complication rate was low (7.5%, predominantly minor wound issues), and the 3-month reoperation rate was 7.7%. Conclusions: The 3D-navigated transsacral screw fixation is a minimally invasive and effective approach for managing sacral insufficiency fractures. It provides substantial pain relief, enables early mobilization, and demonstrates a low complication rate at 3 months. This technique shows promise in improving short-term outcomes for patients who do not respond to conservative care, regardless of osteoporosis status, although further research is needed to evaluate long-term fracture healing and functional recovery. Full article

Background: Sacroiliac screw fixation in elderly patients with pelvic fractures remains a challenging procedure for stabilization due to impaired bone quality. To improve it, we investigated the biomechanical properties of combined oblique sacroiliac and transiliosacral screw stabilization versus the additional cement augmentation of this construct in a cadaver model of osteoporotic bone, specifically with respect to the maximal force stability and fracture-site motion in the displacement and rotation of fragments. Methods: Standardized complete sacral fractures with intact posterior ligaments were created in osteoporotic cadaver pelvises and stabilized with a triangle of two oblique sacroiliac screws from each side with an additional transiliosacral screw in S1 (n = 5) and using the same pelvises with additional cement augmentation (n = 5). A short cyclic loading protocol was applied, increasing the axial force up to 125 N. Sacral fracture-site motion in displacement and rotation of the fragments was measured by optical motion tracking. Results: A maximum force of 65N +/− 12.2 N was achieved using the triangular screw stabilization of the sacrum. Cement augmentation did not provide any significant gain in maximum force (70 N +/− 29.2 N). Only low fragment displacement was observed (2.6 +/− 1.5 mm) and fragment rotation (1.3 +/− 1.2°) without increased stability (3.0 +/− 1.5 mm; p = 0.799; 1.7 +/− 0.4°; p = 0.919) following the cement augmentation. Conclusions: Triangular stabilization using two obliques and an additional transiliosacral screw provides sufficient primary stability of the sacrum. Still, the stability achieved seems very low, considering the forces acting in this area. However, additional cement augmentation did not increase the stability of the sacrum. Given its lack of beneficial abilities, it should be used carefully, due to related complications such as cement leakage or nerve irritation. Improving the surgical methods used to stabilize the posterior pelvic ring will be a topic for future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis is a global problem that will increase as the population increases and ages, requiring prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment. An increasing loss in bone mineral density (BMD) is the hallmark of osteoporosis, leading to an increased risk for insufficiency fractures. We aimed to investigate and analyze the applicability of native lumbar spine computed tomography (CT) scans for the evaluation of bone density compared with standard bone density measurements with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and computed tomography X-ray absorptiometry of the hip (CTXA). Methods: Patients who were referred to our institution for diagnostic investigations and underwent CT imaging of the lumbar spine, as well as standard osteoporosis assessments including QCT and CTXA, were included in the study, resulting in a total of 240 patients (mean age: 65.9 years, range: 24–91). An ANOVA test was used to compare patient groups without a fracture, with one fracture, with more than one fracture, and with additional sacral fractures. An ROC analysis was performed to assess the predictive power of fracture risk estimation considering HU, QCT, and CTXA values. Results: At least one fracture was detected in 42.9% of these patients. For the lumbar spine, the median HU was 89.9 (range 67.9–126.9) and the median BMD was 73.7 (range 57.1–104.2) mg/cm³. With a correlation coefficient of 0.98 (p < 0.001), the HU values obtained from native lumbar CT scans can be calculated using the following formula: BMDspine = 0.84 + (0.81 × HU). With HU values < 80 and a BMD of the lumbar spine < 66 mg/cm³, a significantly increased number of osteoporotic vertebral fractures were found in the mid-thoracic, thoracolumbar, and sacral regions with an effect size of 0.89. In 32 patients (13.3%), additional sacral fractures were found; these patients showed the lowest density values with a median HU value of 31.8 (12.7–58.2). An ROC analysis of HU revealed a 93% sensitivity for the coincidence of a vertebral fracture. There was no significant difference compared with the AUC of QCT (p = 0.395) for concomitant vertebral body fractures. CTXA values also allowed for risk assessment but showed a significantly lower AUC. We found a negative correlation of BMD with age and a positive correlation of BMD with body mass index. Conclusions: Cancellous density measurements in HU values can be effectively converted into quantitative BMD values in mg/cm³, enabling a reliable assessment of osteoporosis severity and fracture risk prediction. Further quantitative density evaluation of the hip does not add value to fracture risk assessment for the axial skeleton. Based on this study’s findings, using HU values in native CT of the lumbar spine alone offers a viable, opportunistic approach towards fracture risk evaluation of the spine. Full article

Background: There has been an increasing number of fragility fractures of the sacrum in the recent decade. With rates of up to 28%, the complication rates after surgical treatment are still at an unacceptably high level, and new treatment strategies are urgently needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of 3D-navigated trans-sacral bar osteosynthesis in the surgical treatment of fragility fractures of the sacrum. Methods: Retrospectively, from 2017 to 2023, all cases with confirmed fragility fractures of the sacrum in patients > 65 years of age that were surgically treated with navigated 3D-navigated trans-sacral bar osteosynthesis were included, and epidemiological data and the course of treatment analyzed in comparison to a matched control group. Results: Finally, 21 patients (18 women and 3 men) were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 82.6 (SD 6.3) in the intervention group and 79.4 (SD 6.7) in the control group. There were postoperatively detected complications in two cases (18%) in the intervention group and in four cases (40%, p = 0.362) in the control group. The postoperative in-hospital stay was 10 days (SD 3.8) vs. 11.4 days (SD 3.8) in the control. None of the patients in the intervention group and two in the control group needed revision surgery. Conclusions: Overall, 3D-navigated trans-sacral bar osteosynthesis seems to be a promising technique, enabling an accurate implant positioning while offering a low complication rate with an excellent short-term outcome in elderly patients with fragility fractures of the sacrum. Full article

Background: Pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIF) are typical in geriatric populations with reduced bone quality, most commonly in elderly postmenopausal women. These fractures are usually caused by low-energy forces over the bones during ordinary life and cause disabling pain. Treatment options range from conservative to operative. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of treatments for pelvic insufficiency fractures, determining optimal approaches between surgical intervention and conservative management. Methods: This literature review systematically examines articles focusing on patients with PIF, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and using PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library database. We took into account only full-text articles in indexed journals with available English abstracts, considering data about patient demographics, surgery, and outcomes. Results: After screening 128 articles, this study reviewed 20 manuscripts involving 1499 patients, mostly elderly females and focusing on sacrum fractures. Common treatments included conservative methods and sacroplasty, with a few complications reported. Osteoporosis was the prevalent comorbidity, and the survival rate post-treatment was high at 92.3%. Mobility outcomes varied, with some patients experiencing significant autonomy loss. The average follow-up period was over 17 months. Conclusions: This study found a cautious approach to surgery (timing of three weeks), which is reserved only for specific patterns, and it leads to increased autonomy and a lower risk of mortality. Due to the lack of pre- and postoperative scores as well as conflicting results, it is imperative to undertake further studies and research to be able to compare the alternative treatments efficiently. Full article

Sacral insufficiency fractures commonly affect elderly women with osteoporosis and can cause debilitating lower back pain. First line management is often with conservative measures such as early mobilization, multimodal pain management, and osteoporosis management. If non-operative management fails, sacroplasty is a minimally invasive intervention that may be pursued. Candidates for sacroplasty are patients with persistent pain, inability to tolerate immobilization, or patients with low bone mineral density. Before undergoing sacroplasty, patients’ bone health should be optimized with pharmacotherapy. Anabolic agents prior to or in conjunction with sacroplasty have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Sacroplasty can be safely performed through a number of techniques: short-axis, long-axis, coaxial, transiliac, interpedicular, and balloon-assisted. The procedure has been demonstrated to rapidly and durably reduce pain and improve mobility, with little risk of complications. This article aims to provide a narrative literature review of sacroplasty including, patient selection and optimization, the various technical approaches, and short and long-term outcomes. Full article

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Background: Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) are relatively rare fractures and difficult to diagnose on plain radiographs. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of SIF. The secondary objective was to identify the classification of SIF by computed tomography (CT). Methods: A total of 77 (Male 11, female 66, mean 80.3 years) people were included in this study. Inclusion criteria for this study were: age ≥ 60 years and no history of high energy trauma. Exclusion criteria were high energy trauma and a current history of malignancy. Differences in the fracture detection and description in the various radiologic procedures were evaluated. Fracture patterns were evaluated with CT. The detection rates of additional pathologies in the MRI of the pelvis and lumbar spine were also recorded. Results: The sensitivities for SIF were 28.5% in radiographs and 94.2% in CT, and all fractures were detected in MRI. MRI showed a more complex fracture pattern compared with CT in 65% of the cases. We observed 71.4% of single SIFs, 9.1% with other spinal fractures, 13.0% with other pelvic fractures, and 7.8% with other fractures. According to the SIF fracture pattern, the H/U type was 40.2%, transverse type was 33.7%, λ/T type was 24.7%, unilateral vertical type was 1.3%, and bilateral vertical type was 0%. Conclusions: an MRI of the lumbar spine including the sacrum with a coronal fat-suppressed T2-weighted image is useful for elderly patients with suddenly increasing low back pain at an early stage. This procedure improves an early SIF detection, recognition of concomitant pathologies, and adequate treatment for the patients. Full article

Sacral insufficiency fractures can occur as a complication after pelvic radiotherapy. Despite several recent studies showing high incidence of sacral insufficiency fractures in elderly women after pelvic radiotherapy this condition still remains underdiagnosed. We present a case of sudden onset of low back pain in a female patient with a history of cervical cancer radiotherapy. Initial diagnostic imaging misinterpreted SIF for metastasis. Bone scan and single-photon emission-computed tomography with low-dose computed tomography revealed the correct diagnosis. Due to the reasons that sacral insufficiency fractures still remain underdiagnosed this report is important to practical routine work of oncologists and radiologists. Full article