The recent publication of two prospective, randomized vertebroplasty trials in the New England Journal of Medicine has garnered lively debate about the benefits of this procedure. The American Journal of Neuroradiology’s latest Special Collection “Percutaneous Vertebroplasty” documents the seminal research leading up to these latest studies and serves as an excellent foundation for spinal augmentation research.
“Few would argue that percutaneous vertebroplasty announced its birth and found its voice on the pages of AJNR. No other publication has been more crucial to the discussion, dissection, and dissemination of technical and clinical research as it relates to this procedure,” said Collection editors Mary E. Jensen and Joshua A. Hirsch. “The sheer number of positive outcomes in patients debilitated by their disease, catalogued on these pages stand as testimony to the benefits of vertebroplasty over best medical therapy.”
“Little did all of us know that destiny would ‘throw us a curve ball’ on August 6 when the New England Journal published the now famous (or infamous?) articles that attempted to debunk vertebroplasty as treatment for painful osteoporotic spinal fractures,” explained AJNR’s Editor-in-Chief Mauricio Castillo. “These events make this compilation of articles even more pertinent. Now is the time for the reader to decide if the procedure is beneficial or not, and to act accordingly.”
AJNR Special Collections are released biannually on an open-access basis to provide a comprehensive source of imaging-related articles that are convenient, valuable, and quotable. Previous Collections include “Imaging Acute Stroke and its Consequences,” edited by Pamela W. Schaefer and R. Gilberto González, and “Acute Stroke Intervention” edited by Colin P. Derdeyn and Avi Mazumdar. All are available through AJNR’s print-on-demand service (Brightdoc), allowing readers to order a full-color hard copy for just US $50.00, plus shipping.
Be sure to bookmark the latest Special Collection link or connect through the AJNR homepage on your next visit.
