Complication of cemented vertebra after kyphoplasty in osteoporotic compression fracture

The reported case is of a postmenopausal woman with kyphoplasty for an L1 osteoporotic compression fractures (OCF) presenting with progressive kyphosis and paraparesis that developed with no history of other traumas. Serial radiographs and computed tomography were performed, followed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. On serial radiographs, local kyphosis and neurologic deficit progressed with collapse of the cemented vertebra. MR scan and histologic examination diagnosed avascular necrosis (AVN). The symptoms resolved after posterior vertebral column resection of the collapsed cemented vertebral body and correction of the deformity. Although kyphoplasty is a simple and safe procedure for the management of pain in OCFs, careful follow-up is required as collapse of the cemented vertebra may be an AVN of the cemented vertebra and lead to neurologic deficit over time.