{"id":"33bf3598-09e3-44cd-8848-801bbb5970a9","slug":"cement-leakage-and-pulmonary-embolism-by-bone-cement-augmented-pedicle-screw-fixation-of-the-thoracolumbar-spine-a-case-report","title":"Cement leakage and pulmonary embolism by bone cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation of the thoracolumbar spine – A case report","authors":["Georgios Tsalimas","Eleni Pappa","Konstantinos Zygogiannis","Spiridon Antonopoulos","Fotios Kakridonis","Ioannis Chatzikomninos"],"abstract":"Background: Few studies discuss the complication of pulmonary cement embolism (PCE) due to cement augmented pedicle screw instrumentation (CAPSI) of the thoracolumbar spine. Case Description: A 62 female with a history of multiple myeloma and Sjogren’s syndrome on chronic steroids developed an osteoporotic L1 compression fracture and underwent posterior stabilization with a T10–L4 CAPSI. However, postoperatively, the patient developed a surgical site infection and a PCE, resulting in severe respiratory compromise and death 1 month later. Conclusion: When performing a T10–L4 thoracolumbar CAPSI (i.e., augmented pedicle screw instrumentation of the thoracolumbar spine) to address an L1 osteoporotic compression fracture, a 62 year old patient developed a life ending multi organ deficiency due to sepsis together with a PCE.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/33bf3598-09e3-44cd-8848-801bbb5970a9/featured/hero-1781559324360.png","publishDate":"2024-08-16T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_506_2024","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13041/SNI-15-290.pdf"}