title: Asymptomatic cement embolism in the right atrium after vertebroplasty using high-viscosity cement: a case report.
abstract: A 52-year-old woman underwent vertebroplasty for fractures of the T10, T11, and L2 vertebrae secondary to multiple myeloma. She was discharged uneventfully within a week. Nine months later, she was readmitted for syncope. Echocardiography revealed a mass in the right atrium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a low signal intensity irregular mass (8x7 mm) and a comma-shaped mass (12 mm) in the right atrium. She was prophylactically anticoagulated for the probable emboli. Repeat cardiac MRI performed 2 weeks later showed that the size of the masses remained unchanged. Surgical intervention was not suggested by the cardiothoracic surgeons. Three months later, the patient remained uneventful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Vinodhkumar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pannirselvam
authors.forename: Hwan Tak
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hee
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements
keywords: bone cements; embolism; heart atria; vertebroplasty