Fatal fat embolism after vertebroplasty: identification of the high-risk patient.
We report a rare complication of autopsy-proven fat and bone marrow embolization following percutaneous vertebroplasty in a patient who had no evidence of cement leakage. Cement injection was done during one patient encounter, covering 3 vertebral levels by using a unipedicular approach. Patients may have complications even without polymethylmethacrylate leakage.
Department of Radiology, Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, Ohio 45501-1308, USA.
M I
MI
Syed
S
S
Jan
N A
NA
Patel
A
A
Shaikh
R A
RA
Marsh
R V
RV
Stewart
D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000473:pathology; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery
D020366:Methylmethacrylate