Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure guided by imaging utilized for managing painful tumor infiltration disorders such as aggressive hemangioma, metastatic carcinoma, and multiple myeloma. Additionally, it can be employed for individuals experiencing severe pain resulting from osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. Despite its effectiveness in treating vertebral compression fractures, percutaneous vertebroplasty is not without risks. Complications that may arise from this procedure include allergic reactions, infections, neurologic complications, and cement leakage into the vertebrae and surrounding tissues, which may result in nerve damage or other complications. In rare cases, pulmonary embolism can occur when bone cement enters the bloodstream and causes lung blockage. The entity of pulmonary cement embolisms is in most cases asymptomatic and occurs in up to 26% after vertebroplasty [1].

We present the case of a 42-year-old female patient who went to the emergency department (ER) for a 1-month history of productive cough, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and dyspnea on moderate exertion.

She denied fever, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary symptoms. The patient was diagnosed about five years ago with follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, currently in stage IV, and recently completed the tenth maintenance cycle with Rituximab (a dosage of 600 mg administered every eight weeks). Due to persistent lumbar pain refractory to analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs two years ago, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine was performed, which revealed a fracture with compression of L1. A complementary investigation with magnetic resonance imaging and a last positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed multiple bone lesions in the sternal notch, costal arches, humerus, shoulder blades, and axial skeleton. These were suggestive of multiple metastatic lesions. The patient underwent vertebroplasty with a bone biopsy and the immunohistopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic lesion secondary to follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The procedure was uneventful, but no thoracic imaging was performed afterward.

When admitted to the ER, the patient was apyretic and hemodynamically stable, with a peripheral saturation of 98% in room air. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood was 102.1 mmHg. The SARS-CoV-2 screening swab was negative. The complementary study showed D-dimers at 0.29 mg/mL, high-sensitivity troponin at 1.9 ng/mL, and C-reactive protein at 1.43 mg/dL. The chest X-ray showed a well-defined tubular image at the para-direct hilar (Figure 1).

A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan showed osteofixation material in the lumbar spine and high-density material in the shape of a line in the lumen of the pulmonary artery tree on both sides, at the level of the azygos and hemiazygos veins and in the inferior vena cava. The material stood out at the level of the inferior lobar artery of the right lung, with extension to the posterior and medial basal segmental branches. In the left lung, the material was identified in the interlobar artery and the superior segmental branch (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Those aspects were associated with cement embolism in the context of previous vertebroplasty. Further evaluation ruled out other embolic foci and deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. There were no indications of right ventricular dysfunction seen during the transthoracic echocardiography.

Even though the patient did not have hypoxemia, it was decided to start anticoagulation with enoxaparin (1 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours) for six months due to the inorganic nature of the substance, the patient’s state of immunosuppression and the central and peripheral involvement of cement embolism sites. Three months after her ER visit, a chest CT scan confirmed that the embolic debris remained present. The patient remained with no symptoms and maintained partial disease remission throughout the eleventh cycle of Rituximab.

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a significant contributor to spinal pain which can be attributed to osteoporosis and primary or metastatic cancer. The available treatment for VCF comprises conservative measures such as bed rest, analgesics, and back braces, as well as more invasive interventions like percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and open surgery [2]. Due to the prevalence of osteoporosis risk factors, such as advanced age and corticosteroid treatment, cancer patients are at high risk for these fractures [3]. In the case presented, the patient had a history of follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with multiple bone metastases and had previously undergone vertebroplasty for a vertebral compression fracture using polymethylmethacrylate (PMA) bone cement.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure involving the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMA) bone cement into the vertebral body. Polymethylmethacrylate leakage is the most common cause of complications following these procedures, and it typically occurs when the cement is too fluid or when too much pressure is applied [4]. Polymethylmethacrylate can sometimes penetrate the venous plexuses or, by retrograde migration, enter the aorta [5], causing pulmonary cement embolism (PCE). Its precise prevalence is unknown, ranging from 2% to 26%, depending on the diagnostic imaging technique chosen [1]. Pulmonary cement embolism often has no noticeable symptoms and manifests within days to weeks after the treatment, or sometimes immediately. The patient didn’t report any symptoms after the procedure. Nevertheless, the patient’s neoplastic condition may have underestimated the symptoms. These estimates are likely underestimated due to the expected absence of symptoms and the use of protocols that do not include thoracic imaging testing after the procedure [6].

There is no standardized treatment for PCE, and the present data are mainly based on clinical cases [7]. Bone cement (BC) does not appear to be thrombogenic or to stimulate coagulation, but its turbulent flow may enhance prothrombotic processes and vascular injury [8]. In 2009, Krueger et al. published a comprehensive review recommending being vigilant in peripheral and asymptomatic embolisms and starting anticoagulation with heparin for three to six months, followed by warfarin cases of central and symptomatic embolisms. The existence of symptoms, as well as the location and size of embolic particles, now determine the treatment strategy. Surgical embolectomy may be considered for severe and symptomatic embolisms.

It is unclear if the prothrombotic nature of cancer would affect the risk of PCE or the therapy method, such as in peripheral and silent embolisms. Low-molecular-weight heparin therapy for central and symptomatic embolisms may be combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. In the presented case, despite the patient being asymptomatic, the decision was made to initiate anticoagulation with enoxaparin due to the central and peripheral involvement of the cement embolism sites, the patient’s immunosuppressed state, and the inorganic nature of the cement. The follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) scan performed three months later confirmed the presence of embolic debris. Although there are now seven related fatalities described in the literature [9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15], PCE has a primarily favorable prognosis.

The risk of embolization may be decreased by employing techniques like prone positioning to reduce intrathoracic pressure; venography with fluoroscopy before the cement injection to detect leaks; a standard protocol of sequential chest X-rays after the procedure; and yearly and BC substitutes [16].

This case report highlights the importance of considering PCE as a potential complication in patients undergoing vertebroplasty, particularly in high-risk patients and emphasizes vigilance in detecting and managing PCE, as it can be asymptomatic or underreported. Many topics, such as PCE’s natural history and the most effective preventative measures, still need to be answered. There needs to be a standardized treatment for PCE, which is now individualized based on the presence and severity of symptoms. With this case, we aim to raise awareness for the possibility of PCE following vertebroplasty and the importance of early detection and appropriate management.