Polymethyl Methacrylate Induced Pulmonary Embolism

A 61-year-old female with renal cell carcinoma and metastasis to lumbar vertebrae, underwent vertebroplasty for the augmentation of the vertebral bodies with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in an attempt to control pain. The patient remained stable during the procedure. However, in the recovery room she acutely developed shortness of breath and tachycardia. A CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) was performed and was considered negative for pulmonary thrombo-embolism (Fig. A and B). A chest X-ray revealed bilateral pleural effusions. Subsequently, a CT chest without contrast was done and it demonstrated curvilinear high attenuation material in the distal pulmonary arteries, most