Neurol. praxi. 2011;12(1):59-62

Complications of percutaneous kyphoplasty

MUDr.Martin Jerie¹, prof.MUDr.Josef Vymazal, DrSc.², MUDr.Radko Kříž², MUDr.Jiří Chrobok, Ph.D.³, MUDr.Stanislav Černohorský⁴

¹ Neurologické oddělení, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

² Radiodiagnostické oddělení, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

³ Neurochirurgické oddělení, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

⁴ Chirurgické oddělení, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

A 39-year-old female patient was admitted to our department for traumatic compression fracture of the Th9 vertebral body. The clinical

finding as well as MRI finding favoured percutaneous kyphoplasty. A rare complication – cement leakage into the soft paravertebral tissues

– occurred during this procedure. Because of the declared properties of the implanted material, particularly the biodegradability of

bone cement, observation of the patient was carried out. Over the course of days, progressive back pain and difficult breathing occurred.

Imaging methods revealed progressive pleuropulmonary changes. A circumscribed inflammatory focus and pleural effusion with subsequent

respiratory insufficiency developed. The patient was indicated for abscess evacuation, extirpation of the cement from the osseous tissue and

subsequent thoracic drainage. However, the patient’s condition continued to deteriorate as did the imaging finding and a second revision

was necessary which involved pulmonary lobe decortication. Following this procedure, the further clinical course was favourable.

thoracotomy.

Keywords: complication, percutaneous kyphoplasty, biodegradable bone cement, pleural effusion, empyema, pulmonary decortication,

Published: February 18, 2011  Show citation