A case of pulmonary barotrauma complicated with cerebral arterial air embolism in a diver / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Pulmonary barotrauma is a kind of disease caused by the injury of lung tissue or blood vessel when the gas pressure of lung is too high or too lower than the external pressure of the body, which causes the air to enter the blood vessel and adjacent tissue. It could be happened in the escape of the divers with the light diving equipment or the sailors from submarine. Generally, the decompression chamber was used to treating the disease, and the minimum air pressure of 0.5 MPa recompression therapeutic schedule was used to selecting. In November 2019, a patient with pulmonary barotrauma combined with cerebral arterial gas embolism caused by improper underwater escape with light diving equipment was admitted to the General Hospital of Eastern War Zone. He was treated with 0.12 MPa oxygen inhalation recompression scheme in the oxygen chamber pressurized with air. 7 days later, the patient recovered and discharged.

A probable fatal argon gas embolism during resection of a cutaneous biliary fistula - a case report / Provável embolia letal por gás argônio durante ressecção de fístula cutânea biliar - relato de caso

Abstract Background: The Argon Beam Coagulator (ABC) achieves hemostasis but has potential complications in the form of argon gas embolisms. Risk factors for embolisms have been identified and ABC manufacturers have developed guidelines for usage of the device to prevent embolism development. Case report: A 49 year-old male with history of recurrent cholangiocarcinoma status post resection presented for resection of a cutaneous biliary fistula. Shortly after initial use of the ABC, the patient underwent cardiac arrest. After resuscitation, air bubbles were observed in the left ventricle via Transesophageal Echo (TEE). Conclusion: Although argon embolisms have been described more commonly during laparoscopies, this patient most likely experienced an argon gas embolism during an open resection of a cutaneous biliary fistula via the biliary tract or vein with possible transpulmonary passage of the embolism. Consequently, a high degree of suspicion should be maintained for an argon gas embolism during ABC use in laparoscopic, open, and cutaneous surgeries.

Resumo Introdução: A Coagulação por Feixe de Argônio (CFA) promove hemostasia, mas pode levar a complicações na forma de embolia por gás argônio. Os fatores de risco para embolias foram identificados e os fabricantes de aparelhos de CFA desenvolveram diretrizes para o uso do dispositivo para impedir a ocorrência de embolia. Relato de caso: Paciente masculino de 49 anos com história de colangiocarcinoma recorrente pós-ressecção foi submetido à ressecção de fístula cutâneo-biliar. Logo após o início do uso do aparelho de CFA, o paciente apresentou parada cardíaca. Após o retorno da atividade cardíaca, a Eecocardiografia Transesofágica (ETE) detectou bolhas de ar no ventrículo esquerdo. Conclusões: Embora a embolia associada ao argônio seja mais frequentemente descrita durante laparoscopia, este paciente mais provavelmente apresentou embolia provocada pelo argônio durante cirurgia aberta para ressecção de fístula cutâneo-biliar, após o argônio ganhar acesso à circulação sanguínea através das vias biliares ou da veia biliar e possível passagem do êmbolo pela circulação pulmonar. Desta maneira, deve-se suspeitar de embolia por argônio, de forma judiciosa, durante o uso de CFA em procedimento cirúrgico laparoscópico, aberto ou cutâneo.

Embolia de dióxido de carbono / Carbon dioxide embolism

Carbon dioxide (CO) embolism is a complication of laparoscopic surgery that, although often does not have adverse sequelae, can be fatal. This is due to the fact that when CO is injected into the blood vessels, the bubbles impede blood flow, which clinically expresses as: decreased stroke volume, hypoxemia, sudden fall or sudden increase in expired CO, bradycardia, hypotension, dyspnea, cyanosis, arrhythmias, bilateral mydriasis, murmur in a mill wheel at auscultation and cardiovascular collapse with cardiorespiratory arrest. In this article we will present physiology of venous embolism, diagnosis, syntoms, treatment and prevention.

La embolia por dióxido de carbono (CO) es una complicación de la cirugía laparoscópica que, aunque a menudo no presenta secuelas adversas, puede ser fatal. Esto se debe a que al inyectar CO en los vasos sanguíneos las burbujas impiden el flujo de sangre, lo que clínicamente se expresa como: disminución del volumen sistólico, hipoxemia, caída repentina o aumento súbito del CO espirado, bradicardia, hipotensión, disnea, cianosis, arritmias, midriasis bilateral, soplo en rueda de molino a la auscultación y al colapso cardiovascular con paro cardiorrespiratorio. En este trabajo presentaremos fisiología del embolismo venoso, cuadro clínico, diagnóstico, tratamiento y formas de prevenir que ocurra este evento.

Portograma aéreo y neumatosis intestinal como hallazgos incidentales en postoperatorio de cirugía abdominal / Hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis as incidental findings in post-surgical abdominal surgery

Portograma aéreo o portograma de aire (PA), se define como la presencia de aire en el sistema venoso portomesentérico. Neumatosis intestinal (NI) se define como la presencia de aire en la pared intestinal, independiente de su causa o localización. La principal etiología de estas alteraciones es la isquemia intestinal aguda y en general, se consideran predictores de perforación intestinal y de mal pronóstico. Un pequeño grupo de pacientes con PA y/o NI pueden evolucionar sin complicaciones e incluso cursan sin manifestaciones clínicas. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con antecedente quirúrgico inmediato de gastrectomía total y reconstrucción en Y de Roux, que evidenció en tomografía computarizada (TC) de abdomen de control PA y NI, sin alteraciones clínicas significativas asociadas.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is defined as the presence of air in the portal venous system. Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is defined as the presence of air within the bowel wall, regardless of its cause or location. Its main etiology is the intestinal ischemia and are generally considered predictors of intestinal perforation and wrong prognosis. A small group of patients with HPVG and PI may have a different clinical course, without complications and clinical manifestations. We report the case of a patient with immediate surgical history of total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which showed in computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen HPVG and PI, without associated clinically significant changes.

Simple handling of venous air embolism during abdominal myomectomy / Manejo simples de embolia gasosa durante miomectomia abdominal

Abstract We report a case of venous air embolism during abdominal myomectomy. Although true incidence of venous air embolism is not known, in literature most of reported cases are belongs to sitting position craniotomies. Many of those are subclinical, and diagnostic methods have varying degrees of sensitivity and specificity. At time of suspicion, prevention of any subsequent air emboli is the cornerstone of treatment.

Resumo Relatamos um caso de embolia gasosa durante miomectomia abdominal. Embora a incidência exata de embolia gasosa não seja conhecida, a maioria dos casos relatados na literatura se refere à posição sentada em craniotomias. Muitos casos são subclínicos e os métodos diagnósticos têm diferentes graus de sensibilidade e especificidade. No momento da suspeita, a prevenção de qualquer êmbolo de ar subsequente é a chave fundamental do tratamento.

Oxigenoterapia hiperbárica no acidente aeroembólico no pós-operatóriode cirurgia cardíaca / Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating an aeroembolic accident after heart surgery

A embolia aérea sistêmica pode ter várias etiologias. Durante a circulação extracorpórea (CEC) é estimadaem 0,1 %, entretanto a grande maioria das intercorrências não é relatada ou é imperceptível, dependendo do grau de comprometimento neurológico e do tempo em que ocorreu após a cirurgia. Em geral, a embolia aérea pode causar distúrbios cognitivos, danos focais, coma e morte. O presente trabalho relataa experiência do Instituto Estadual de Cardiologia Aloysio de Castro com acidentes semelhantes no pósoperatório,que foram tratados com oxigenoterapiahiperbárica, com recuperação total.

Estimated at 0.1% during extracorporeal circulation, systemic air embolisms may have different etiologies. However, the vast majority ofcomplications are not reported or are imperceptible, depending on neurological involvement and the length of time after surgery. In general, air embolisms may cause cognitive disorders, focal damage, coma and death. This paper reports on the experience of the Aloysio de Castro State Cardiology Institute, treating these accidents during the postoperativeperiod with hyperbaric oxygen therapy,with full recovery.

"Air embolism during fontan operation".

In patients with a right to left intracardiac shunt, air embolism results in an obligatory systemic embolization. Nonembolization of entrained air is described in a child with a single ventricle physiology who had earlier undergone bidirectional Glenn shunt construction and Damus–Kaye–Stansel anastomosis. The air entrainment was detected by intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography. The combined effect of a “diving bell” phenomenon and mild aortic valve regurgitation are suggested as the reasons for the confi nement of air into the ventricle preventing catastrophic systemic embolization.

Embolismo gaseoso tras el uso del sistema de lavado CarboJet® durante la hemiartroplastía de cadera: Caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Gas embolism after the use of the CarboJet® lavage system during hip hemiarthroplasty: Clinical case and literature review

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 89 años de edad que sufrió paro cardiorrespiratorio durante la realización de hemiartroplastía de cadera cementada que precisó resucitación cardiopulmonar. Esta complicación ocurrió inmediatamente después de usar el sistema de lavado mediante dióxido de carbono CarboJet®, y se atribuyó a embolismo gaseoso, tras descartar otras entidades. Se discuten los posibles factores que pueden contribuir a esta complicación quirúrgica.

Case report of an 89 year-old patient who had cardiorespiratory arrest during cemented hip hemiarthroplasty and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This complication occurred immediately after using the carbon dioxide-based lavage system known as CarboJet® and was attributed to gas embolism once other entities were ruled out. The possible factors that may contribute to this surgical complication are discussed.

Há risco de êmbolos durante a infusão com o uso de aquecedores com linhas de aquecimento de sangue e líquidos? / Is there risk of emboli during Infusion with Line type blood-liquid warmers? / ¿Existen riesgos de émbolos durante la infusión con el uso de calentadores con líneas de calentamiento de sangre y líquidos?

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os aquecedores de sangue e de líquidos que aquecem em linha são amplamente usados por causa do baixo custo, do uso prático e porque não dependem de equipamentos. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a formação de bolhas em dois aquecedores tipo linha com duas formas de aquecimento diferentes. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Dois grupos foram designados às marcas de aquecedores de sangue e líquidos: S-line e Astoflo®. Com o uso de 10 conjuntos de soro para cada grupo (n = 20), 1.000 mL de solução NaCl a 9% foram infundidos a 350 mL.hora-1 durante uma hora na sala de operação. As seguintes temperaturas foram mensuradas: das partes proximal, intermediária e distal das linhas; do ambiente de ensaio; do líquido usado e do líquido ao atingir a cânula após o aquecimento. O tempo para a formação visível de bolhas foi registrado. Os achados foram estatisticamente comparados com o uso do teste-U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação às temperaturas proximal, intermediária e distal das partes das linhas; do ambiente do estudo; do líquido usado e do líquido ao atingir a cânula (p > 0,05). Bolhas foram observadas nos dois aquecedores e o tempo para a formação de bolhas foi semelhante nos dois grupos de estudo (p = 0,143). CONCLUSÕES: No cenário experimental, criamos condições semelhantes ao nosso ambiente clínico. Ambos os tipos de aquecedores forneceram níveis de aquecimento semelhantes e formaram bolhas visíveis. Considerando que uma pequena quantidade de êmbolos pode ser fatal em bebês e crianças, a formação de bolhas deve ser seriamente considerada em caso de êmbolos e estudos adicionais devem ser feitos para determinar a quantidade, as razões e os conteúdos da formação de bolhas.

INTRODUCTION: Line type blood-liquid warmers are used widely due to their low expense, practical use and nondependence on sets. We aimed to investigate the relationship of bubbles in line type warmers with two different warming properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups were designed with S-line and Astoflo® brand blood-liquid warmers. By using 10 medisets for each group (n = 20), we infused 1,000 mL 0.9% NaCl solutions at 350 mL.hour-1 speed for one hour in the operating room. Temperatures at the proximal, midway and distal parts of lines, temperature of experiment environment, temperature of liquid used and temperature of liquid reaching the cannula after warming were measured. Time to visually observable bubble formation was recorded. We compared findings statistically using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups with respect to temperatures at the proximal, midway and distal parts of lines, temperature of experiment environment, temperature of liquid used and temperature of liquid reaching the cannula (p > 0.05). Bubbles were observed with both warmers and time to bubble formation was similar in the two study groups (p = 0.143). CONCLUSIONS: In the experimental setting, we have designed conditions similar to our clinical environment. Both types of warmers provided similar warming levels and formed visible bubbles. Considering that low amounts of emboli can be fatal in infants and children, bubble formation should be taken seriously into account for emboli and further studies should be carried out to determine the amount, the reasons and the contents of bubble formation.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Los calentadores que poseen un calentamiento en línea de sangre y de líquidos son extensamente usados a causa de su bajo coste, del uso práctico y también porque no dependen de equipos. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar la formación de burbujas en dos calentadores de tipo línea con dos formas de calentamiento diferentes. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Dos grupos fueron designados a las marcas de calentadores de sangre y líquidos: S-line y Astoflo®. Con el uso de 10 conjuntos de suero para cada grupo (n = 20), 1.000 mL de solución NaCl al 9% se infundieron a 350 mL.hora-1 durante una hora en quirófano. Las siguientes temperaturas fueron mensuradas: de las partes proximal, intermedia y distal de las líneas; del ambiente de ensayo; del líquido usado y del líquido al alcanzar la bránula después del calentamiento. El tiempo para la formación visible de burbujas fue registrado. Los hallazgos fueron estadísticamente comparados con el uso del test-U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: No hubo diferencias entre los grupos con relación a las temperaturas proximal, intermedia y distal de las partes de las líneas; del ambiente del estudio; del líquido usado y del líquido al alcanzar la bránula (p > 0,05). Burbujas se observaron en los dos calentadores y el tiempo para la formación de burbujas fue similar en los dos grupos de estudio (p = 0,143). CONCLUSIONES: Dentro del escenario experimental, creamos condiciones parecidas a nuestro ambiente clínico. Ambos tipos de calentadores suministraron niveles de calentamiento parecidos y formaron burbujas visibles. Considerando que una pequeña cantidad de émbolos puede ser fatal en bebés y en niños, la formación de burbujas debe ser seriamente considerada en caso de émbolos y estudios adicionales deben ser realizados para determinar la cantidad, las razones y los contenidos de la formación de burbujas.

Embolia gasosa venosa inadvertida durante cesariana: bolsas retráteis ​​para líquidos intravenosos sem saídas autovedantes oferecem riscos. Relato de caso / Inadvertent venous air embolism during cesarean section: collapsible intravenous fluid bags without self-sealing outlet have risks. Case report / Embolia gaseosa venosa inadvertida durante cesárea: bolsas retráctiles para líquidos intravenosos sin salida de autosellado ofrecen riesgos. Relato de caso

O anestesiologista deve estar ciente das causas, do diagnóstico e do tratamento de embolia venosa e adotar padrões de prática para prevenir sua ocorrência. Embora a embolia gasosa seja uma complicação conhecida da cesariana, descrevemos um caso raro de desatenção que causou embolia gasosa iatrogênica quase fatal durante uma cesariana sob raquianestesia. uma das razões para o uso de bolsas autorretráteis para infusão em vez dos frascos convencionais de vidro ou plástico é a precaução contra embolia gasosa. Também demonstramos o risco de embolia venosa com o uso de dois tipos de bolsas plásticas retráteis (à base de cloreto de polivinil [PVC] e de polipropileno) para líquidos intravenosos. As bolsas para líquidos sem saídas autovedantes apresentam risco de embolia gasosa se o sistema de fechamento estiver quebrado, enquanto a flexibilidade da bolsa limita a quantidade de entrada de ar. bolsas à base de pvc, que têm mais flexibilidade, apresentam risco significativamente menor de entrada de ar quando o equipo de administração intravenosa (IV) é desconectado da saída. usar uma bolsa pressurizada para infusão rápida sem verificar e esvaziar todo o ar da bolsa IV pode ser perigoso.

The anesthesiologist must be aware of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of venous air embolism and adopt the practice patterns to prevent its occurrence. Although venous air embolism is a known complication of cesarean section, we describe an unusual inattention that causes iatrogenic near fatal venous air embolism during a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. One of the reasons for using self-collapsible intravenous (IV) infusion bags instead of conventional glass or plastic bottles is to take precaution against air embolism. We also demonstrated the risk of air embolism for two kinds of plastic collapsible intravenous fluid bags: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene-based. Fluid bags without self-sealing outlets pose a risk for air embolism if the closed system is broken down, while the flexibility of the bag limits the amount of air entry. PVC-based bags, which have more flexibility, have signifi cantly less risk of air entry when IV administration set is disconnected from the outlet. Using a pressure bag for rapid infusion can be dangerous without checking and emptying all air from the IV bag.

El anestesiólogo debe de estar consciente de las causas, del diagnóstico y del tratamiento de la embolia venosa, y adoptar los estándares de práctica para prevenir su aparecimiento. Aunque la embolia gaseosa sea una complicación conocida de la cesárea, describimos aquí un caso raro de falta de atención que causó embolia gaseosa iatrogénica casi fatal durante una cesárea bajo raquianestesia. Una de las razones para el uso de bolsas autoretráctiles para infusión en vez de los frascos convencionales de vidrio o plástico, es la precaución contra la embolia gaseosa. También demostramos riesgo de embolia venosa con el uso de dos tipos de bolsas plásticas retráctiles (a base de cloruro de polivinil [PVC] y de polipropileno) para líquidos intravenosos. Las bolsas para líquidos sin salidas de autosellado, tienen un riesgo de embolia gaseosa si el sistema de cierre está roto, mientras la flexibilidad de la bolsa limita la cantidad de entrada de aire. Bolsas hechas a base de PVC, y que tienen más flexibilidad, también tienen un riesgo signifi cativamente menor de entrada de aire cuando el equipo de administración intravenosa (IV) se apaga en la salida. Usar una bolsa de presión para la infusión rápida sin verifi car y vaciar todo el aire de la bolsa IV puede ser peligroso.

Microembolia gasosa em operação cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea: emprego de shunt venoarterial como método preventivo / Gaseous microemboli in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: the use of veno-arterial shunt as a preventive method

As complicações neurológicas representam importante causa de morbidade no período pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e sua incidência alcança até 75% dos pacientes. Uma importante causa desses eventos é a formação de microbolhas na corrente sanguínea durante a circulação extracorpórea. Realizou-se revisão integrativa sobre microembolia gasosa na circulação extracorpórea. Esse trabalho analisou estudos com abordagens metodológicas diferentes, mas que contemplam o tema. O resultado sugere que a desnitrogenação do sangue causada pela hiperoxia dissolve microbolhas formadas no sangue e o shunt venoarterial pode equilibrar os parâmetros respiratórios alterados pela hiperoxia.

Neurological complications are an important cause of morbidity in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and its incidence reaches up to 75% of patients. An important cause of these events is the formation of microbubbles in the bloodstream during cardiopulmonary bypass. Integrative review was carried out on gaseous microemboli in cardiopulmonary bypass. This study analyzed studies with different methodological approaches, but that address the issue. The result suggests the denitrogenation of blood by hyperoxia dissolved microbubbles in the blood and venoarterial shunt can balance the respiratory parameters changed with hyperoxia.

Embolia gaseosa orbitaria y paraselar: reporte de un caso / Orbitary and parasellar gas embolism: case report

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 39 años, de sexo femenino con antecedentes de rinitis alérgica y depresión en tratamiento, que consulta al servicio de urgencia por un episodio vertiginoso, el cual es tratado con tietilperazina endovenosa en forma exitosa. Posteriormente, como control, se realiza una tomografía computarizada de cerebro que evidencia gas a nivel selar, paraselar, hacia senos cavernosos y canales ópticos, lo cual se interpreta como una complicación atribuible a la punción venosa de urgencia. La paciente es manejada en forma conservadora manteniéndose siempre asintomática en los controles, con una resolución completa a la vez del cuadro vertiginoso. Este caso ejemplifica una complicación de difícil diagnóstico y potencialmente grave en el manejo de un paciente de urgencia mediante medicamentos endovenosos.

We describe the case of a 39 years old female patient, with history of allergic rhinitis and depression who came to the emergency room with a vertiginous episode, which was treated with intravenous thiethylperazine. Computed tomography of the brain showed evidence of sellar, parasellar, cavernous sinus and orbitary gas, with the interpretation of this being a complication from the emergency room intravenous treatment. The patient was managed by conservative means and remained asymptomatic in controls, with a complete resolution of the vertiginous episode as well. This case illustrates a difficult to diagnose and potentially serious complication, in the management of a patient with any intravenous drugs.

In Vitro Observation of Air Bubbles during Delivery of Various Detachable Aneurysm Embolization Coils

OBJECTIVE: Device- or technique-related air embolism is a drawback of various neuro-endovascular procedures. Detachable aneurysm embolization coils can be sources of such air bubbles. We therefore assessed the formation of air bubbles during in vitro delivery of various detachable coils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A closed circuit simulating a typical endovascular coiling procedure was primed with saline solution degassed by a sonification device. Thirty commercially available detachable coils (7 Axium, 4 GDCs, 5 MicroPlex, 7 Target, and 7 Trufill coils) were tested by using the standard coil flushing and delivery techniques suggested by each manufacturer. The emergence of any air bubbles was monitored with a digital microscope and the images were captured to measure total volumes of air bubbles during coil insertion and detachment and after coil pusher removal. RESULTS: Air bubbles were seen during insertion or removal of 23 of 30 coils (76.7%), with volumes ranging from 0 to 23.42 mm3 (median: 0.16 mm3). Air bubbles were observed most frequently after removal of the coil pusher. Significantly larger amounts of air bubbles were observed in Target coils. CONCLUSION: Variable volumes of air bubbles are observed while delivering detachable embolization coils, particularly after removal of the coil pusher and especially with Target coils.

Complicaciones mecánicas de los accesos venosos centrales / Mechanical complications of central venous access

Las complicaciones mecánicas de los accesos venosos centrales son frecuentes, 2 a 15 por ciento y en ocasiones pueden comprometer la vida del paciente. Hay factores que determinan el riesgo de una u otra, que pueden ser modificados o enfrentados de diferente forma para minimizarlo. En esta puesta al día se describen las complicaciones más frecuentes o de mayor gravedad como son: el neumotórax, la embolia aérea, mal-posición del catéter, perforación de grandes venas, punción arterial, arritmias, trombosis venosa asociada a catéter venoso central (CVC) y oclusión del CVC; algunos elementos de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento así como el impacto que puede tener la ultrasonografía rutinaria para instalar un CVC.

Mechanical complications of central venous access are frequent , 2 to 15 percent and occasionally may become life threathening. There are many risk factors that can be handled to increase the safety of the procedure. In this update there is a description of the commonest and the most serious complications as : pneumothorax, air embolism, catheter malposition, great veins perforations , accidental arterial puncture, arrhythmia , vein thrombosis related to central access and central venous catheter (CVC) occlusion; some prevention strategies, diagnostic and treatment and the impact of routinely use ultrasound guidance during CVC placement.

A Case of Hepatic Portal Venous Gas as a Complication of Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation

The development of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is rare but it might be associated with serious disease and poor clinical outcome. Recently, several iatrogenic causes of HPVG have been reported. HPVG as a complication of endoscopic balloon dilatation is a previously unreported event. We experienced a case of HPVG after endoscopic balloon dilatation in a 31 yr-old man with pyloric stricture due to corrosive acids ingestion. The patient was treated conservatively with fluid resuscitation, antibiotics and Levin tube with natural drainage. Five days later, the follow-up CT scan showed spontaneous resolution of HPVG. This case reminded us the clinical importance and management strategy of HPVG. We report here a case of iatrogenic HPVG with a review of relevant literature.

Massive Paradoxical Air Embolism in Brain Occurring after Central Venous Catheterization: A Case Report

Cerebral air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism associated with central venous catheterization. An 85-yr-old man underwent right internal jugular vein catheterization, and became obtunded. Brain MR imaging and CT revealed acute infarction with multiple air bubbles on the side of catheter insertion. The possibility of cerebral air embolism should be considered in patients developing neurological impairment after central venous catheterization, and efforts should be made to limit cerebral damage.

Four Cases of a Cerebral Air Embolism Complicating a Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. We report four cases of a cerebral air embolism that developed after a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Early diagnosis and the rapid application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the mainstay of therapy for an embolism. Prevention is the best course and it is essential that possible risk factors be avoided.

Paradoxical Air Embolism during Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Case Report

Air embolism is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Patent foramen ovale, which is necessary in fetal circulation, is a potential route for emboli arising from the venous system to enter the systemic arterial circulation, resulting in paradoxical air embolism syndrome. A case of paradoxical air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report of paradoxical air embolism associated with patent foramen ovale during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.