J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2010 Jun;17(2):104-110. 10.4184/jkss.2010.17.2.104.

Tardy Spinal Cord Compression without Bone Cement Leakage after Kyphoplasty: A Report of 3 Cases

• Ahn DK
• Choi DJ
• Park HS
• Yoo CW

• KMID: 1459275
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2010.17.2.104

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: This is a case report.
OBJECTIVE
We report here on three cases of late spinal cord compression without bone cement leakage after kyphoplasty from the view point of the common characteristics, the suspected etiologies and the performed treatments, and we propose a technique to prevent this kind of complication. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Kyphoplasty is widely accepted as an effective and safe treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Complicated compression fractures and even bursting fractures with a compromised spinal canal are currently indicated for kyphoplasty. The wide spread application of kyphoplasty may be mainly due to reducing the complication rates associated with cement leakage and possible restoration, even though partially, of a vertebral kyphotic deformity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
we experienced three cases of newly emerged complications that caused delayed neurologic compromise after uneventful kyphoplasty without any immediate neurologic deficits. MR imaging was done to find the pathologic regions and surgical treatment was performed.
RESULTS
Refracture of an augmented vertebra at the conus medullaris level can cause late occurring spinal cord compression without compromising the spinal canal. Posterior instrumentation and posterior fusion with posterior decompression were effective treatments.
CONCLUSION
The anatomical peculiarity of the conus medullaris and the dynamic irritation of the spinal cord by a bone cement mass after refracture of an augmented vertebral body can be the causes of late spinal cord compression after kyphoplasty. The neurologic symptoms were treated by posterior decompression and fusion. This kind of complication can be prevented by injecting a sufficient amount of bone cement with a shape to support both endplates.

Keyword

Kyphoplasty; late spinal cord compression

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Conus Snail
Decompression
Fractures, Compression
Kyphoplasty
Neurologic Manifestations
Spinal Canal
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Compression
Spine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. (A) T12 compression fracture was noticed in 65-year old female patient. (B) Compressed conus medullaris is noticed at 4-month follow-up after kyphoplasty. (C) Posterior decompression and fusion with posterior instrumentation were performed.

• 

  Fig. 2. (A) T12 compression fracture resulted in severely collapsed deformity. (B) Collapse of the cement-augmented vertebral body is noticed about 7 week follow-up after a minor trauma with new compression fractures at T10, T11, and L1 verterbrae. Conus medullaris looks compressed and redundant with signal change on T1 weighted sagittal MR. (C) Posterior fusion and posterior instrumentation were performed without posterior decompression. (D) 2-year follow-up T1-weighted sagittal MR shows relief of compressed and swollen conus medullaris.

• 

  Fig. 3. (A,B) Weighted MR show suspected compression of conus medullaris by cement-augmented vertebral body. (C) Posterior decompression and fusion with posterior instrumentation were performed. (D,E) T2 weighted MR shows that malunited posterior wall fragment of cement-augmented vertebral body does not further compress conus medullaris.

• 

  Fig. 4. (A) Preoperatively T12 compression fracture is noticed. (B,C) Postoperative radiographs show cement mass enough to support upper and lower endplates, performed with vertebroplasty with 2.8mm-daimetered cement filler. (D) 2-month follow-up radiograph shows stable cement pillar mass, even though the slight recollapse of the cement-augmented vertebra.

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  Fig. 5. A technique to infuse cement enough to support both endplates. (A) Cement fillers should be plated in the middle of the opposite endplate to a fractured site. (B) Cement was fully infused into non-fractured but fragile, scanty cancellous portion. (C,D) The amount of cement enough to support both endplate was infused successfully until the cement advanced into fractured portion without cement leakage.

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