BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty are 2 common procedures that could be applied simply in treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Despite simplicity and safe application of these procedures, there are some drawbacks as well. Cement leakage into the spinal canal is the most common complication of PVP and PKV procedures. The aim of this article is to present a minimally invasive alternative technique for removing cement leakage fragment after the PVP. METHODS: A 44-year-old female patient began to complain of L4 radiculopathy after L4 PVP. The lumbar computed tomography demonstrated cement fragment closed to upper medial aspect of the left L4 pedicle. A minimally invasive translaminar endoscopic procedure was performed to remove the cement fragment. RESULTS: Following the endoscopic procedure, the patient's complaints resolved completely and she was discharged on postoperative day 1. The minimally invasive intervention provided shorter operation time, minimal blood loss, and reduced complication rate due to its simplicity. In particular, there was no need to undergo general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic translaminar approach could be safely performed in patients with symptomatic cement leakage after PVP or a percutaneous kyphoplasty procedure.
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty are 2 common procedures that could be applied simply in treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Despite simplicity and safe application of these procedures, there are some drawbacks as well. Cement leakage into the spinal canal is the most common complication of PVP and PKV procedures. The aim of this article is to present a minimally invasive alternative technique for removing cement leakage fragment after the PVP. METHODS: A 44-year-old female patient began to complain of L4 radiculopathy after L4 PVP. The lumbar computed tomography demonstrated cement fragment closed to upper medial aspect of the left L4 pedicle. A minimally invasive translaminar endoscopic procedure was performed to remove the cement fragment. RESULTS: Following the endoscopic procedure, the patient's complaints resolved completely and she was discharged on postoperative day 1. The minimally invasive intervention provided shorter operation time, minimal blood loss, and reduced complication rate due to its simplicity. In particular, there was no need to undergo general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic translaminar approach could be safely performed in patients with symptomatic cement leakage after PVP or a percutaneous kyphoplasty procedure.