Pulmonary Cement Embolism After Kyphoplasty

• Martina Focardi ^[1] ; Aurelio Bonelli ^[1] ; Vilma Pinchi ^[1] ; Federica De Luca ^[1] ; Gian-Aristide Norelli ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Florence

     University of Florence

     Firenze, Italia

     
• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 61, Nº. Extra 1, 2016, págs. 252-255
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Pulmonary polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement embolism after kyphoplasty (KP) surgery is a quite frequent event as well 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 hospital where he was operated, complaining sensation of tenderness at the chest surgical scar and esthetic damage. To understand the nature of the embolism (either central venous catheter fragment or cement), chemical investigations were then ordered. Spectrometry identified the PMMA cement used for KP. When doubts rise about the origin of the embolized material, chemical investigations may reveal important data not only for clinical but also for forensic purposes.