Pulmonary Embolism after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty with Polymethylmethacrylate: Case Report

ABSTRACT

We present a case with rare complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). A pulmonary embolus was detected in a 79-year-old woman with osteoporotic compression fracture after percutaneous verteroplasty. Chest radiography, computed tomography, and ventilation perfusion lung scan con-firmed pulmonary infarction and the presence of PMMA in the pulmonary arteries. She was treated with anticoagulants and responded favorably. Although venous leakage of PMMA has shown to be not uncommon, only a few cases of symptomatic pulmonary embolism have been reported. Adequate preparation of PMMA, optimal injection technique, and confirmation with biplane fluoroscopy are mandatory to minimize this type of complication.