J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2007 Jun;14(2):101-104. 10.4184/jkss.2007.14.2.101.

Neurologic Complication after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty with Polymethylmethacrylate: A Case Report

• Jang SB
• Kim MH
• Min SH
• Paik HD

• KMID: 1941662
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2007.14.2.101

Abstract

In recent years, percutaneous vertebroplasty has frequently been used to treat osteoporotic compression fractures. This procedure is generally known to be safe because of the rare occurrence of complications. However, it is accompanied by the risk of cement leakage, and the cement can be easily removed using a surgical technique. Most neurological complications occurred due to extravasation of cement into the spinal canal. Comparatively, there were no reports of neurological complications due to the extravasation of cement into the paravertebral area. Here, we report a case of right-exiting L1 spinal root compression after percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). We proceeded to cement removal and nerve root decompression by a paraspinal open microsurgical technique in the event of neurological complication.

Keyword

Spine fracture; Vertebroplasty; Neurologic complication; L1 nerve root

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Fractures, Compression
Polymethyl Methacrylate*
Spinal Canal
Spinal Nerve Roots
Vertebroplasty*
Polymethyl Methacrylate

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Anteroposterior and Lateral radiography after vertebroplasty shows extravasation of PMMA at the right paravertebral area and new L3 spine fracture at the upper end plate.

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  Fig. 2. CT scan after vertebroplasty shows compressed L1 exiting nerve root by cement.

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  Fig. 3. Anteroposterior and Lateral radiography after paraspinal open microsurgical technique and L3 vertebroplasty shows removed cement.

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  Fig. 4. CT scan after paraspinal open microsurgical technique shows decompressed L1 exiting nerve root.

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