2012 Dec 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Vascular and pulmonary embolisms following percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Abstract

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and vertebral tumors. Although considered to be safe and effective, complications can occur following such a treatment. The authors report the case of a 69-year-old man who underwent L-1 percutaneous vertebroplasty that was halted due to cement migration. Postoperative radiological examination confirmed cement spreading into the inferior vena cava and within both superior pulmonary lobes. The patient was asymptomatic and following proper clinical observation was discharged. Although vertebroplasty is becoming a popular spine procedure, surgeons should be alert to potentially life-threatening complications.

PMID:
23231359
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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