[A rare cause of pulmonary embolism]

Abstract

History and admission findings: We report on a patient with acute dyspnea after several vertebral body interventions, among others a kyphoplasty, that was performed a few days earlier.

Investigations: In the computed tomography we prove a bilateral pulmonary embolism (cement and thrombus). There is no right heart failure. A deep vein thrombosis can be excluded by color-coded vascular ultrasound.

Diagnosis, treatment and course: The pulmonary embolism is due to bone cement. The cement material is also found paravertebral, intraspinal and intraneuroforaminal. By conservative treatment using therapeutic anticoagulation and analgesic medication, the patient showed a rapid clinical improvement.

Conclusions: In patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms after vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, pulmonary embolism due to bone cement should be considered as a possible cause. The therapy depends on the extent of the cement embolism and the symptoms of the patient.