ABSTRACT

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