Case Report of a Complication During Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Abstract：Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an effective method for treating pain in patients with spinal metastases. Here, we describe a case in which the cannula could not be removed during PVP. The patient was a 76-year-old male with gastric lymphoma metastasis to the L3 vertebra, experiencing severe low back and bilateral lower limb pain for about 4 weeks, with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 8. After radiofrequency ablation (RFA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement was injected into the L3 vertebra through bilateral cannulas. However, due to adhesion between PMMA and the cannula, the right cannula could not be removed. Subsequently, another cannula was inserted parallel to the previous one, and PMMA was loosened through this cannula, leading to successful removal. However, the patient showed no significant pain relief one month postoperatively (NRS=7). In conclusion, PVP has no absolute contraindications, but defects in the posterior wall of the vertebral body are relative contraindications. This case demonstrates a rare complication during PVP and provides some experience regarding the complication of a cannula being trapped within the vertebral body during PVP surgery.
Keywords：Percutaneous vertebroplastyPainRadiofrequency ablation
Publication Date：2025-08-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-09-24(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 73-75 )