Pulmonary bone cement embolism: CT angiographic evaluation with material decomposition using gemstone spectral imaging

Korean J Radiol. 2014 Jul-Aug;15(4):443-7. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2014.15.4.443. Epub 2014 Jul 9.

Abstract

We report a case of pulmonary bone cement embolism in a female who presented with dyspnea following multiple sessions of vertebroplasty. She underwent spectral CT pulmonary angiography and the diagnosis was made based on enhanced visualization of radiopaque cement material in the pulmonary arteries and a corresponding decrease in the parenchymal iodine content. Here, we describe the CT angiography findings of bone cement embolism with special emphasis on the potential benefits of spectral imaging, providing additional information on the material composition.

Keywords: Bone cement; Dual-energy CT; Pulmonary embolism; Spectral imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiography / methods
  • Bone Cements / adverse effects*
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / etiology
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Vertebroplasty*

Substances

  • Bone Cements