Case Report

Pulmonary Embolism Caused By Cement After Vertebroplasty: CT Findings

10.1501/Tipfak_0000000807

Received Date: 16.01.2012 Accepted Date: 15.02.2012 J Ankara Univ Fac Med 2012;65(1):51-56

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a simple, convenient and minimally invasive procedure used for the management of back pain and spinal instability associated with osteoporotic compression fractures or other osteolytic spinal lesions. Although being reliable, complications can be seen after vertebroplasty. Herein, Computed tomography images of polymethacrylate cement migration into the inferior vena cava (IVC) via venous plexus and pulmonary embolism due to cement used in vertebroplasty are presented.

Keywords: Vertebroplasty, complication, cement embolism, computed tomography