ABSTRACT
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developed a cough, loss of consciousness, and convulsions during an air flight. Chest radiography showed a large lung bulla. Computed tomography of the brain showed intraparenchymal air and bilateral cerebral infarcts. The findings were compatible with cerebral air embolism, most likely predisposed to by lung bulla and an air flight. The underlying pathology and possible treatment are discussed.
Subject(s)
Air Travel , Embolism, Air/etiology , Intracranial Embolism/etiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Aged , Embolism, Air/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Intracranial Embolism/pathology , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
We describe a 50-year-old man who first presented with multiple skin lesions which were characteristic of Degos' syndrome. The patient developed multiple episodes of abdominal pain. Some episodes resolved with conservative management, for others he underwent urgent operations for bowel perforations. The patient subsequently underwent extensive small bowel resection, but further systemic deterioration ensued and he died. The imaging findings of Degos' syndrome and the implications of pneumatosis intestinalis and pneumoperitoneum are discussed.
