[Intracardiac and Pulmonary Cement Embolism after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a common procedure for treating vertebral compression fractures.
• Bone cement embolism is a rare but serious complication that can occur after vertebroplasty.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Observation:

• A 63-year-old patient presented with bone cement embolism involving the right ventricle and pulmonary artery following percutaneous vertebroplasty.
• Diagnostic imaging, including ultrasound and X-ray, identified three foreign bodies in the heart and pulmonary vasculature.
• The patient was hemodynamically stable with normal oxygen saturation, and the emboli did not significantly impact intracardiac blood flow.

Findings:

• The clinical presentation and imaging findings confirmed bone cement embolism.
• Despite the presence of foreign bodies, the patient's stable condition and lack of significant hemodynamic compromise influenced management decisions.
• Conservative treatment and dynamic observation were deemed appropriate, outweighing the risks associated with surgical intervention.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering bone cement embolism in patients presenting with cardiopulmonary symptoms after vertebroplasty.
• Conservative management may be a viable option in select cases of pulmonary embolism from bone cement, emphasizing careful patient selection and monitoring.
• Further research into the long-term outcomes of conservative management for bone cement embolism is warranted.