Polymethylmethacrylate cement dislodgment following percutaneous vertebroplasty: a case report.
METHODS
A case report is presented.


OBJECTIVE
To report a rare complication of delayed cement displacement following percutaneous vertebroplasty.


BACKGROUND
Although percutaneous vertebroplasty is considered a minimally invasive procedure, it may result in several complications. To our knowledge, this is the first report of delayed cement displacement after percutaneous vertebroplasty.


METHODS
A 69-year-old man with T12 osteoporotic compression fracture received percutaneous vertebroplasty. One month after surgery, the patient complained of progressive severe back pain, and roentgenographic image revealed a breakdown of the anterior cortex of the T12 vertebral body with anterior displacement of the bone cement.


RESULTS
The complication was solved by one stage anterior and posterior operation: thoracoabdominal approach with removal of the displaced cement and posterior instrumentation from T11 to L1. The severe back pain with associated weakness improved after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
This complication is rare and likely to occur in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture with avascular necrosis and anterior cortical defect.
Tsai
Tsung-Ting
TT
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chen
Wen-Jer
WJ
Lai
Po-Liang
PL
Chen
Lih-Huei
LH
Niu
Chi-Chien
CC
Fu
Tsai-Sheng
TS
Wong
Chak-Bor
CB
D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012867:Skin; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate