title: Serious complication of cement augmentation for damaged pilot hole.
abstract: Polymethl methacrylate (PMMA) screw reinforcement is frequently used in osteoporotic bone as well as in damaged pilot holes. However, PMMA use can be dangerous, since the amount of applied cement is uncontrolled. A 47-year-old male with traumatic cervical spondylolisthesis at C6-7 underwent anterior cervical plate fixation. During repeated drilling and tapping for false trajectory correction, a pilot hole was damaged. Although it was an unconventional method, PMMA augmentation was tried. However, PMMA was accidentally injected to the cervical spinal cord owing to lack of fluoroscopic guidance. The PMMA was surgically removed after corpectomy and durotomy. The patient had left side hemiparesis (Grade 2/5) immediately post operation. The patient improved spontaneously (Grade 4/5) except for 4th and 5th digit extension. Here, we report a rare complication of PMMA extrusion in the spinal cord during a damaged pilot hole injection, which has not previously been described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, CHA University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Dong Ah
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: In Bo
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Tae Gon
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ryoong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Sang Sup
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate