Risk Factors for Pulmonary Cement Embolism (PCE) After Polymethylmethacrylate Augmentation: Analysis of 32 PCE Cases

Objective: Pulmonary cement embolism (PCE) is an underestimated but potentially fatal complication after cement augmentation. Although the treatment and follow-up of PCE have been reported in the literature, the risk factors for PCE are so far less investigated. This study aims to identify the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for the development of PCE.Methods: A total of 1,373 patients treated with the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation technique were retrospectively included. Patients with PCE were divided into vertebral augmentation group and screw augmentation group. Possible risk factors were collected as follows: age, sex, bone mineral density, body mass index, diagnosis, comorbidity, surgical procedure, type of screw, augmented level, number of augmented vertebrae, fracture severity, presence of intravertebral cleft, cement volume, marked leakage in the paravertebral venous plexus, and periods of surgery. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze independent risk factors for PCE.Results: PCE was identified in 32 patients, with an incidence rate of 2.33% (32 of 1,373). For patients who had undergone vertebral augmentation, marked leakage in the paravertebral venous plexus (odds ratio [OR], 0.012; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001–0.103; p = 0.000) and previous surgery (OR, 0.161; 95% CI, 0.042–0.610; p = 0.007) were independent risk factors for PCE. Regarding patients who had undergone screw augmentation, the marked leakage in the paravertebral venous plexus (OR, 0.042; 95% CI, 0.005–0.373; p = 0.004) was the main risk factor.Conclusion: Marked leakage in the paravertebral venous plexus and previous surgery were significant risk factors related to PCE. Paravertebral leakage and operator experience should be concerned when performing PMMA augmentation.

Pulmonary cement embolism following transpedicular screws placement for thoracolumbar fractures

Background: Symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism in patients undergoing thoracic transpedicular fenestrated screw placement is rare. Here, we have added a 64-year-old female undergoing transpedicular screw placement for a T11 fracture who developed a pulmonary cement embolism intraoperatively and add this case to 13 others identified in the literature. Case Description: A 64-year-old female presented with a type “C”, ASIA “E” T11 fracture. The thoracolumbar pedicle screw fixation was supplemented with bone cement due to her underlying severe osteoporosis. During the fluoroscopy-guided supplementation with bone cement, a leak through the paravertebral venous system was noted. Thirty minutes later, the patient acutely developed extreme respiratory failure and required mechanical ventilation for the next 2 days. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism due to bone cement was confirmed on a contrast computed tomography study of the chest. Conclusion: Symptomatic pulmonary cement embolization supplementing transpedicular screws placement for osteoporotic bone is rare. Here, we present a 64-year-old female who during transpedicular fixation of a T11 fracture developed an acute pulmonary embolism from the bone cement resulting in the need for 2 days of postoperative artificial ventilation.

A spear to the heart—the accidental discovery of a giant cement embolism in the right heart: a case report

Background The incidence of recognized cardiopulmonary cement embolism in the context of percutaneous vertebroplasty varies between 0-23%. In most cases, only small fragments embolize in the pulmonary arteries or the right heart cavities. The latter can cause potential harm by right ventricular perforation. Case summary A 57-year-old patient was admitted to our department of cardiology due to exertional dyspnoea and chest pain. In the course of further diagnostic tests a huge cement embolus was accidentally discovered in the right ventricle. The unusual size and length and the threat of ventricular perforation make this case so unique. Discussion Large cement embolisms in kyphoplasty settings are possible and associated with the risk of fulminant complications.