Pulmonary Cement Embolism After Kyphoplasty.

Pulmonary polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement embolism after kyphoplasty (KP) surgery is a quite frequent event aswell as the pulmonary embolization of central venous catheter fragment. This report shows the case of a subject who, after KP, developed pul-monary embolism and who underwent thoracic surgery. After hospital discharge, the subject advanced a claim for damages toward the hospitalwhere he was operated, complaining sensation of tenderness at the chest surgical scar and esthetic damage. To understand the nature of theembolism (either central venous catheter fragment or cement), chemical investigations were then ordered. Spectrometry identified the PMMAcement used for KP. When doubts rise about the origin of the embolized material, chemical investigations may reveal important data not onlyfor clinical but also for forensic purpose