Pulmonary Cement Embolism Following Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Case Report, Physiopathology and Literature Review.

Abstract

Objective: We report a case of pulmonary cement embolism following percutaneous vertebroplasty performed for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Summary of background data: Asymptomatic pulmonary cement embolism, more than symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism, are not so rare from 2.1% to 26%. Methods: The fifth day after surgery, an angioscan was performed because of respiratory failure. It showed a pulmonary cement emboly in the apical segment, medium lobe and ventro-basal segment of the right lung. Results: Symptomatic treatment with oxygen and curative anticoagulation allowed a complete respiratory function recovering. Conclusions: So as to better diagnose this complication, a careful analysis of the post-operativ pulmonary X-ray and regular follow-up are necessary. The main interest of this case report is the knowledge of chest X-ray as a screening test for pulmonary cement embolism.