An 82-year-old woman with severe back pain from an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture at L2 has failed 6 weeks of analgesics and bracing. Bone scintigraphy shows increased uptake at L2 confirming an active fracture. She is referred for percutaneous vertebroplasty. The bone cement used in this procedure is:

• A Hydroxyapatite paste
• B Calcium phosphate ceramic
• C Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) ✓
• D Autologous fibrin sealant mixed with tricalcium phosphate

Explanation

Vertebroplasty injects polymethylmethacrylate, an acrylic bone cement that polymerizes in situ, stabilizing microfractures within the vertebral body and providing immediate pain relief through both mechanical stabilization and thermal effect on nociceptors. Calcium phosphate substitutes are occasionally used in younger patients but PMMA remains the standard cement for osteoporotic compression fractures in routine practice.

Reference: Grainger and Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.