Pulmonary Cement Embolism after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Report and Analysis of Six Cases

Patients who undergo percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for treatment of osteoporotic spinal compression fractures can experience various complications, including pulmonary cement embolism. In this article we present six patients who were found to have pulmonary cement embolism on radiography after PV. We analyzed clinically relevant data, including pre-PV and post-PV radiographs, cardiovascular changes, hospital courses, and concomitant medical diseases. Three of the six patients developed symptoms, including chest discomfort and generalized weakness with confusion. All three of the symptomatic patients were found to have cement leakage from the PV vertebral body. The radiographic severity of pulmonary cement embolism, concomitant medical diseases, amount of injected cement, and differences in heart rate and blood pressure before and after PV were not found to be related to the occurrence of symptoms related to pulmonary cement embolism. All six patients survived the PV complication. Prevention of cement leakage from the PV vertebral body may reduce the occurrence of symptoms of pulmonary cement embolism. Proper surgical technique is important, and routine post-PV chest radiographs are needed for early detection of pulmonary cement embolism.

並列關鍵字

percutaneous vertebroplasty ； pulmonary cement embolism ； polymethylmethacrylate ； cement leakage

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