Back, neck and spine - MBS item (35401)

The following MBS item is included in this clinical category.

35401
Vertebroplasty, for one or more fractures in one or more vertebrae, for the treatment of a painful osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spinal segment (T11, T12, L1 or L2), if: (a) the service is performed by a specialist or consultant physician practicing in the specialist's or consultant physician's speciality of diagnostic radiology,neurosurgery,neurology ororthopaedic surgery; and (b) the specialist or consultant physician has undertaken appropriate training in the vertebroplasty procedure; and (c) pain is severe (numeric rated pain score greater than or equal to 7 out of 10); and (d) the symptoms are poorly controlled by opiate therapy; and (e) the severe pain duration is 3 weeks or less; and (f) there is MRI (or SPECT-CT if MRI unavailable) evidence of acute vertebral fracture Applicable only once for the same fracture, but is applicable for a new fracture of the same vertebra or vertebrae (H) (Anaes.)