A Novel Approach to Treatment of Unexpected Vertebroplasty Complication

We report a novel approach to treatment of an unexpected complication of vertebroplasty. During initial positioning of transpedicular vertebroplasty needles in a 73-year-old woman, we encountered unexpected ease of needle advancement resulting in progression of the needle through the anterior cortex of the thoracic vertebral body. The transpedicular needle advanced into the mediastinum and, presumably, the adventitia of the descending thoracic aorta. Administration of polymethylmethacrylate cement was performed to tamponade bleeding at the time of the procedure and to reduce the risk of potential delayed bleeding complications within the mediastinum. The treatment was successful and the patient had no immediate or delayed complications as a result of the unintended needle advancement.