Clinical trials with percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for intractable pain from vertebral compression fractures (VCF) have shown variable results. Variation in the outcomes may be related to poor patient selection on imaging.

To assess if PVA augmentation for osteoporotic VCF results in better improvement in pain when patients were selected based on clinical examination plus imaging vs clinical examination only.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 2000 to May 2018. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data to identify randomised control trials (RCTs) on PVA for osteoporotic VCF and assessed the risk of bias. Standard systematic review and meta-analysis methods were advocated by the Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA Statement. A total of 12 RCTs with 1110 participants met the inclusion criteria. Eight of the 10 studies (938 participants) that used imaging to confirm oedema in the target vertebral bodies showed PVA (compared to nonsurgical treatment) was effective in reducing pain (immediate term: mean difference (MD) of −1.89; 95% confidence interval −1.93 to −1.85, p < 0.001; short term: MD of −1.68; 95% CI −1.82 to −1.54, p < 0.001; intermediate term: MD of −2.04; 95% CI −2.15 to −1.94, p < 0.001 and long term: MD of −1.88; 95% CI −1.95 to −1.80, p < 0.001).

RCTs using imaging to confirm marrow oedema in the index vertebra showed an improved size effect compared to RCTs using no imaging. This benefit was observed in the immediate, short, intermediate and long term.