Which complication is most commonly associated with cement extravasation in kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty?

Cement extravasation during kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty primarily refers to the leakage of bone cement beyond the intended vertebral body or the area being treated. Among the listed complications, pulmonary embolism is particularly significant because it can occur if the cement enters the venous system and migrates to the lungs, causing obstructive issues. This can lead to serious respiratory distress and hemodynamic instability.

When cement is inadvertently extravasated into the venous circulation, it can travel to the pulmonary vasculature, resulting in a blockage. This complication, while it may not be the most frequent, represents a critical risk associated with the procedure due to its potential to be life-threatening.

In contrast, while spinal nerve injury, hip fractures, and cardiac arrest are serious complications, they are less directly connected to the phenomenon of cement extravasation. Spinal nerve injuries primarily result from mechanical pressure or trauma during the procedure itself rather than from cement migration. Hip fractures usually relate to underlying bone fragility rather than directly to the cement used in these procedures. Cardiac arrest can occur in rare circumstances, but it is not directly linked to cement leakage in the same way pulmonary embolism is.

Therefore, pulmonary embolism stands out as the most