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Case Report
The use of polymethyl methacrylate as an effective tamponade for a vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion: A case report
1 Medical Student, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
2 Chief of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Department, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
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Christopher McGinley
8200 Dixon Ave, Apt. 1002, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910,
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Article ID: 100161Z12CM2025
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How to cite this article
McGinley C, Fossett D. The use of polymethyl methacrylate as an effective tamponade for a vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion: A case report. J Case Rep Images Surg 2025;11(2):14–18.ABSTRACT
Introduction: Injury to the vertebral artery (VA) during an anterior cervical approach to the spine is relatively uncommon. These injuries can be difficult to repair, may lead to significant complications, and can even be fatal. We present a case report involving a VA injury that occurred during an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion and discuss its management.
Case Report: A 65-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of radicular left upper extremity pain without weakness, numbness, or paresthesia. Imaging revealed cervical spondylosis with a kyphotic deformity. An anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion was recommended and the patient agreed to proceed with the surgery. During the drilling of the vertebral body, the left lateral wall of the vertebral body was inadvertently perforated, resulting in an injury to the VA. To address this complication polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was placed in the defect to replace the vertebral body and provide effective tamponade against the bleed.
Conclusion: Polymethylmethacrylate can be a very effective tool to use in the management of an injury to the VA, providing the ability to tamponade while simultaneously helping to maintain structural integrity and spinal stability.
Keywords: Cervical spine, Polymethyl methacrylate, Vertebral artery
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions
Christopher McGinley - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Damirez Fossett - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2025 Christopher McGinley et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
