Korean J Radiol.  2013 Jun;14(3):451-454. 10.3348/kjr.2013.14.3.451.

Cement Embolus Trapped in the Inferior Vena Cava Filter during Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

• Li Z
• Ni RF
• Zhao X
• Yang C
• Li MM

• KMID: 1705458
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2013.14.3.451

Abstract

A 58-year-old female patient, diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung, underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty at the L4 vertebral body due to painful spinal metastases. Because of deep venous thrombosis of the left femoral and iliac veins, an inferior vena cava filter had been placed before vertebroplasty. Bone cement migrated into the venous bloodstream and then was being trapped within the previously placed filter. This case illustrates that caval filter could capture the bone cement and prevent it from migrating to the pulmonary circulation.

Keyword

Percutaneous vertebroplasty; Inferior vena cava filter; Pulmonary embolism; Complication

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma/secondary
Bone Cements/*adverse effects
Embolism/*etiology
Female
Humans
Iliac Vein
Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery
Lung Neoplasms/pathology
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Embolism/prevention & control
Spinal Neoplasms/secondary
*Vena Cava Filters
*Vena Cava, Inferior
Venous Thrombosis/radiography
Vertebroplasty/*adverse effects/methods
Bone Cements

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Cement getting trapped in IVC filter during percutaneous vertebroplasty. A. Basivertebral veins drained into anterior external vertebral venous plexuses and IVC (arrowhead). Cement injection of L4 vertebrae: cement migrates into IVC and gets caught in filter. B. Lateral fluoroscopy. C. Anteroposterior fluoroscopy. IVC = inferior vena cava

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