[PMMA pulmonary embolism and post interventional associated fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty].

A 78-year old woman with osteoporotic collapse of the Th12 and L4 vertebrae was treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty (pVp) with PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). Postoperatively, the Th11 and L1 vertebrae collapsed so that a second vertebroplasty was performed. Postoperatively, the patient developed a severe pulmonary embolism which was treated conservatively. In this report, the complications of pulmonary embolism, perivertebral leakage of PMMA and of additional vertebral collapses after pVp are discussed.