CASE REPORT Intraspinal Leakage of Bone Cement after Vertebroplasty: A Report of 3 Cases

SUMMARY: We report 3 cases of vertebroplasty-induced intraspinal leakage of bone cement that were referred to us for management. Two patients received decompressive surgery, and one received rehabilitation. The gross surgical finding of yellowish dura mater and intradural fibrosis, adhesion, and microscopic finding of arachnoid membrane fibrosis are suggestive of late effect of thermal injury. These patients had residual lower extremity weakness and urinary and stool problems 13 months, 3 years, and 4.75 years postvertebroplasty, respectively. Vertebral fractures are themost common complications of osteoporosis. These fractures result in significant mortality and morbidity, the latter of which includes prolonged and intractable pain. Percutaneous vertebroplasty, a therapeutic procedure for filling the collapsed vertebral body with polymethylmethacry-late (PMMA) percutaneously, provides pain relief. This tech-nique was first described by Galibert et al for the treatment of a case of hemangioma at the level of C2.1 Indications no