Lumbar Root Injury by the Leakage of Bone Cement after the Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A case report

ABSTRACT

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is being increasingly used to treat compression fractures of vertebrae. Although it is said that this technique has minimal risk, we experienced a root injury after percutaneous vertebroplasty. A 62 year old woman suffered from weakness of the right lower extremity immediately after percutaneous vertebroplasty. We observed bone cement leakage into the spinal canal of the second through the fourth lumbar level, resulting in root injury. Weakness of the patient improved after the physical therapy. We should be aware of the neurologic complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty.