Mismatched perfusion defects secondary to recent methyl methacrylate embolization

Clin Nucl Med. 2013 Jan;38(1):50-2. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e3182708548.

Abstract

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) pulmonary embolism is a serious potential complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty. We present a case of a 28-year-old man who presented to an outside institution with pleuritic chest pain after MMA vertebroplasty of the T11 thoracic vertebra for chronic back ache secondary to a previous traumatic fracture. Multifocal MMA pulmonary embolism was identified on CT. The patient was referred to our institution following a wedge resection for pulmonary infarction. V/Q scintigraphy was performed and demonstrated normal ventilation with multiple mismatched perfusion defects bilaterally. Patient subsequently underwent central and bilateral segmental pulmonary embolectomies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Lung / blood supply*
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Methylmethacrylate / adverse effects*
  • Perfusion
  • Pulmonary Embolism / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ventilation

Substances

  • Methylmethacrylate