Cement Embolism After Kyphoplasty

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 1; p. e52821
• Main Authors: McGarvey, Cade R, Nair, Ajay, Nawras, Yusuf, Oenick, Jared, Vattipally, Venkatramana R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 23-01-2024
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Asymptomatic; Case reports; Cement; Embolization; Fractures; Lungs; Osteoporosis; Paralysis; Polymerization; Pulmonary embolisms; Tomography; Veins & arteries; Vertebrae; Viscosity; X-rays; United States > US; revision balloon kyphoplasty; pce; kyphoplasty; pulmonary cement embolism; balloon kyphoplasty
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52821

Kyphoplasty is used for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. The procedure involves inflating a balloon at the compression site; then, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement is added into the space created by the balloon, where it polymerizes, achieving stabilization, with possible expansion of the vertebral angle. The process is guided by X-rays. Complications are rare, especially when compared to vertebroplasty, and one rare complication is pulmonary cement embolism (PCE). Although many cases are likely undetected due to a lack of symptoms, symptomatic cases require treatment, as they can sometimes prove fatal. We present a case of a patient who underwent kyphoplasty and later presented with a PCE. The PCE was diagnosed using X-rays and computed tomography (CT).