In Brief:
Among the cardiovascular and respiratory complications associated with the use of polymethylmethacrylate cement in arthroplasty, a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema has not been documented. We report on 1 patient with progressive hypoxemia and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates following intravertebral injection of polymethylmethacrylate. Chest radiograph and computed tomography confirmed the presence of the cement in the pulmonary artery. The patient was treated with anticoagulants, inhaled nitric oxide, diuretics, antibiotics, and eventually pulmonary embolectomy. She died 20 days after the vertebroplasty.
