Retrieval of cement embolus from inferior vena cava after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an accepted treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis and malignant disease. Venous leakage of cement and pulmonary cement embolism have been reported complications. We describe a paravertebral venous cement leak resulting in the deposition of a cement cast in the inferior vena cava and successful retrieval of the cement embolus.