Cement venogram as a harbinger of methacrylate embolism after kyphoplasty: A case series. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Szachowicz, Peter J; Gross, Thomas J
• Is Part Of: SAGE open medical case reports. Volume 9(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Kyphoplasty -- vertebroplasty -- cement embolism; Clinical medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.09
• DOI: 10.1177/2050313X211041239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-313X

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.