Intraspinal Leakage of Cement During Vertebroplasty for an Elderly Woman with Osteoporotic Burst Fracture: A Case Report and Short Review of Prevention and Management

Abstract

© 2015.Osteoporotic spine fracture is very common nowadays due to the aging population. It may result in prolonged immobilization due to significant back pain. Cement vertebroplasty helps to relieve pain, provides immediate stability and allows early mobilization. Intraspinal leakage of cement is a rare complication but it may lead to catastrophic neurological injuries. Evidence-based management guidelines for this complication are lacking. This is a case report about intraspinal leakage of cement during vertebroplasty for an 85-year-old woman with osteoporotic burst fractures over the lumbar spine. Urgent exploration and decompression was performed. No neurological injury was found after the operation and the patient recovered from osteoporotic back pain uneventfully.