Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery  2015;22(2):65-68

doi:10.4184/jkss.2015.22.2.65

Pulmonary and Renal Cement Embolisms During Balloon Kyphoplasty: A Case Report.

Chung Shik SHIN 1 ; Byeong Yeol CHOI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Spine; Compression fracture; Pulmonary embolism; Renal embolism; Kyphoplasty

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of simultaneous pulmonary and renal embolisms after balloon kyphoplasty and review relevant literature. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Pulmonary or renal embolism caused by cement leakage during balloon kyphoplasty is a rare complication but can be fatal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An 84-year-old female patient was treated with balloon kyphoplasty for an osteoporotic compression fracture. Pulmonary and renal embolisms were detected after the procedure and the patient was treated conservatively. RESULTS: After conservative treatment, embolism-related symptoms were not found during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered a case of simultaneous pulmonary and renal cement embolisms which occurred during kyphoplasty. This is a very rare but potentially serious complication. However, the patient had no long-term sequelae after conservative treatment.