Post-traumatic fracture of polymethylmethacrylate surrounding a Harrington hook site. A radiolucent cause of instability and pain.

As polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is used more often in spine surgery, problems associated with its use are likely to be encountered. A case is presented of a young patient with myelomeningocele and scoliosis. The patient presented with instability and pain associated with fractured PMMA surrounding the lower Harrington hook site. Since the PMMA was radiolucent, the fractures were not visible on radiographs. The patient required surgical exploration and revision. The stability achieved with PMMA may present future liabilities, therefore, its use should be limited to those unusual cases with specific indications.