What are the main complications of vertebroplasty?
EARLY complications: (1). cement leakage into the epidural veins (causing pulmonary embolism), epidural space, intervertebral disc, and neural foraminae (2). venous bleeding along needle tracts (3). exacerbation of pain post procedure related to local ischaemia or increased intertrabecular pressure (4) infection. LATE complications: potential increase in risk of adjacent vertebral collapse (controversial)
Review of previous imaging.
On review of the patient's previous imaging, it becomes apparent that the patient had undergone 4 level vertebroplasty the previous day. This explains the abnormalities seen on CXR and CTPA: cement embolism. In retrospect, on the CXR, the vertebroplasty cement can just be seen on the bottom of the radiograph.