TABLE 1:

Vertebroplasty complications

Cement leaks:
 Should be of no consequence if small
 Large leaks may cause local or radicular pain, neurologic damage, pulmonary embolus, or death
Inaccurate needle placement:
 Injury to nerve root or spinal cord
 Injury to adjacent organs (eg lungs)
Pain exacerabation:
 May occur due to substantial leaks into adjacent tissue or veins
 May occur without leak (transient pain flair)
Infection (rare)
Bleeding (rare without coagulopathy or anticoagulation)