J Ratliff1, T Nguyen, J Heiss. 1. Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. jratliff@box-j.nih.gov
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVES: Clinicians use methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty to treat vertebral hemangiomas, metastases, and osteoporotic fractures. Cement may leak out of the vertebral body and compress the adjacent spinal cord and nerve roots. We review a case of nerve-root and cord compression from methylmethacrylate extrusion during vertebroplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A 50-year-old female presented with disabling thoracic back pain. A metastasis to T1 was discovered, with collapse of the vertebral body but without cord compression. Methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty was performed. After injection, portable computed tomography (CT) showed a leakage of methylmethacrylate into the C8 and T1 foramina and spinal canal. Radiculopathy and myelopathy developed. Surgical decompression using the anterior approach was necessary. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Early surgical intervention decompressed the neural elements and relieved the neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic complications of methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty necessitate active involvement of spine surgeons in patient evaluation and management.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVES: Clinicians use methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty to treat vertebral hemangiomas, metastases, and osteoporotic fractures. Cement may leak out of the vertebral body and compress the adjacent spinal cord and nerve roots. We review a case of nerve-root and cord compression from methylmethacrylate extrusion during vertebroplasty. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A 50-year-old female presented with disabling thoracic back pain. A metastasis to T1 was discovered, with collapse of the vertebral body but without cord compression. Methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty was performed. After injection, portable computed tomography (CT) showed a leakage of methylmethacrylate into the C8 and T1 foramina and spinal canal. Radiculopathy and myelopathy developed. Surgical decompression using the anterior approach was necessary. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Early surgical intervention decompressed the neural elements and relieved the neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic complications of methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty necessitate active involvement of spine surgeons in patient evaluation and management.
Authors: Flavio Tancioni; Martin Lorenzetti; Pierina Navarria; Andrea Nozza; Luca Castagna; Paolo Gaetani; Enrico Aimar; Daniel Levi; Antonio Di Ieva; Patrizia Pisano; Armando Santoro; Marta Scorsetti; Riccardo Rodriguez y Baena Journal: Neurol Sci Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 3.307