Logo image
Cement venogram as a harbinger of methacrylate embolism after kyphoplasty: A case series
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Cement venogram as a harbinger of methacrylate embolism after kyphoplasty: A case series

Peter J Szachowicz and Thomas J Gross
SAGE open medical case reports, Vol.9, p.2050313
08/2021
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X211041239
PMCID: PMC8385596
PMID: 34457304
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X211041239View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Vertebral compression fractures remain an important cause of pain and debility. Intractable pain may be approached with vertebral kyphoplasty. We herein present a case of symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism following kyphoplasty. Discovery of a paravertebral cement venogram at the time of this procedure prompted a case series review of our institutional experience with kyphoplasty. We found that cement embolization, whether symptomatic or discovered incidentally, was universally associated with a cement venogram at the site of vertebroplasty. We propose that a cement venogram be viewed as a harbinger of cement pulmonary embolism and this possibility be considered in patients with an existing intracardiac shunt or who present with new respiratory symptoms soon after kyphoplasty.
cement embolism vertebroplasty Kyphoplasty

Details

Metrics

Logo image