Fatal Hemothorax Following Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Case Report

Hee-Gon Park; Joo-Hong Lee

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.202

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Park and Lee: Fatal Hemothorax Following Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Case Report

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2007; 20(2): 202-205.

Published online: 14 June 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.202

Fatal Hemothorax Following Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Case Report

Hee-Gon Park, M.D., Joo-Hong Lee, M.D.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hee-Gon Park, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dankook University Hospital, 16-5, Anseo-dong, Cheonan 330-715, Korea. Tel: 82-41-550-3950, Fax: 82-41-556-3238, heegon@chol.com

Abstract

Overall, the percutaneous vertebroplasty has low complication rate. Nevertheless, severe complications can occur. The majority of these are related to cement leakage. The cement migration through perivertebral venous system can lead to fatal complication. We present a case of death by hemothorax due to cement leakage following percutaneous vertebroplasty with literature review.

Keywords: Percutaneous vertebroplasty, Cement leakage, Hemothorax

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

An 80-year-old female had osteoporotic compression fracture of 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th lumbar vertebrae on the lateral. roenterogram.

Fig. 2

The T1WI magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing low signal on compression fracture.

Fig. 3

The anteroposterior roentgenogram showing leakage of PMMA along the vessel.

Fig. 4

The lateral roentgenogram showing leakage of PMMA along the vessel.

Fig. 5

Computed tomography (CT) showing leakage of PMMA.

Fig. 6

She had a hemothorax in 6th day after vertebroplasty.

References

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8. Tozzi P, Abdelmoumene Y, Corno AF, Gersbach PA, Hoogewoud HM, von Segesser LK. Management of pulmonary embolism during acrylic vertebroplasty. Ann Thorac Surg. 2002; 74:1706–1708.

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