Objective To study whether the leakage of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) can lead to pulmonary embolism in vertebroplasty (VP), and to observe the correlation of embolism degree with the doses of PMMA. Methods Fifteen canines were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, B, C, and were injected 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ml PMMA into the femoral veins, respectively. Before and after the injection, chest CT and angiography of pulmonary artery were performed, the pressure of pulmonary artery was measured, and the blood gas analysis of femoral artery was done. At last, the canines were euthanized and examined and histologically after HE-stained. Results In group C, the pressure of O_2 decreased obviously, and significant difference was found between before and 10 min after injection (P<0.05). The pressure of CO_2 increased quickly in group C, significant difference was detected between before and 1 min after injection (P<0.05). Pressure of pulmonary artery in both group B and C were significantly different between before and after injection (P<0.05). Conclusion The leakage of PMMA can lead to pulmonary embolism. The degree of pulmonary embolism is correlated to the doses of PMMA. The large dose of bone cement leakage can lead to disorder of respiratory function.