Abstract
Vertebroplasty is a new minimal-invasive procedure for the treatment of painful vertebral fractures. The risk of a pulmonary embolism ranges from 3.5 to 23% for osteoporotic fractures. However, data about the incidence and treatment strategies of pulmonary cement embolisms (PCE) are limited. We report a case of a patient with symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism after the vertebroplasty. The diagnosis was confirmed by means of CT- scan. In cases of asymptomatic patients with peripheral PCE we recommend no treatment besides clinical follow-up. In our case of symptomatic embolisms, we recommend to proceed according to the guidelines regarding the treatment of thrombotic pulmonary embolisms, which includes initial heparinization and a following 6-month coumarin therapy.
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Falkenstern-Ge, R.F., Husemann, K. & Kohlhäufl, M. Late onset of pulmonary cement embolism after a regular vertebroplasy. A clinical documentation. cent.eur.j.med 8, 662–664 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-013-0207-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-013-0207-0