[Cerebral gas embolism as a complication of diffuse interstitial lung disease] / Embolismo gaseoso cerebral como complicación de una enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa.

Introduction: Cerebral gas embolism is an unusual but extremely serious condition that occurs when air is introduced into the arterial or venous circulation of the brain. Although rare, it can lead to significant neurological deficits and even the death of the patient. Clinical Case: 76-year-old patient with pre-existing diffuse interstitial lung disease, who experienced a massive stroke due to spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Her presentation included confusion, seizures, and motor weakness. Imaging tests revealed air bubbles in the cerebral sulci and hypodense areas in the cerebellum and parietooccipitals. In addition, pneumothorax and air in the upper mediastinum were noted on chest radiographs and chest CT scan. Despite therapeutic measures such as hyperbaric oxygen, the patient unfortunately died due to multiple organ failure. Discussion: The diagnosis of cerebral gas embolism generally involves performing a cerebral computed tomography, which is highly sensitive for detecting the presence of air in the cerebral vessels. Management includes monitoring of vital and neurological signs, as well as specific measures such as airway closure, venous catheter aspiration, Trendelenburg positioning, and hyperbaric oxygen. Conclusion: Cerebral gas embolism is a potentially fatal condition that requires a brain computed tomography for diagnosis and it is vitally important to know the prevention measures to avoid the appearance of this complication and also to know the general measures to adopt when it occurs.

Introducción: La embolia gaseosa cerebral es una afección inusual pero extremadamente grave que se produce cuando se introduce aire en la circulación arterial o venosa del cerebro. Aunque poco común, puede derivar en déficits neurológicos significativos e incluso la muerte del paciente. Caso Clínico: Paciente de 76 años con una enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa preexistente, que experimentó un ictus masivo debido a un neumomediastino espontáneo. Su presentación incluyó confusión, convulsiones y debilidad motora. Las pruebas de imagen revelaron burbujas de aire en los surcos cerebrales y áreas hipodensas en el cerebelo y parietooccipitales. Además, se observó neumotórax y aire en el mediastino superior en las radiografías de tórax y la tomografía torácica. A pesar de las medidas terapéuticas como el oxígeno hiperbárico, la paciente lamentablemente falleció debido al fallo multiorgánico. Discusión: El diagnóstico de embolia gaseosa cerebral generalmente implica la realización de una tomografía computarizada cerebral, que es altamente sensible para detectar la presencia de aire en los vasos cerebrales. El manejo incluye el control de las constantes vitales y neurológicas, así como medidas específicas como cierre de la entrada de aire, aspiración de catéteres venosos, posicionamiento de Trendelenburg y oxígeno hiperbárico. Conclusión: La embolia gaseosa cerebral es una afección potencialmente mortal que requiere una tomografía computarizada cerebral para el diagnóstico y de vital importancia conocer las medidas de prevención para evitar la aparición de esta complicación y así mismo conocer las medidas generales a adoptar cuando ésta se presenta.

Review of Thoracic Causes of Systemic Arterial Air Embolism on Computed Tomography.

Systemic arterial air embolism (SAAE) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that may occur when air enters into pulmonary veins or directly into the systemic circulation after pulmonary procedures (biopsy or resection) or penetrating trauma to the lung. While venous air embolism is commonly reported, arterial air embolism is rare. Even a minor injury to the chest along with positive-pressure ventilation can cause SAAE. Small amounts of air may cause neurological or cardiac symptoms depending on the affected arteries, while massive embolism can result in fatal cardiovascular collapse. We discuss the various causes of SAAE, including trauma, computed tomography-guided lung biopsy, and various intervention procedures such as mechanical circulatory support device implantation, coronary catheterization, and atrial fibrillation repair. SAAE diagnosis can be overlooked because its symptoms are not specific, and confirmation of the presence of air in the arterial system is difficult. Although computed tomography is the optimal imaging tool for diagnosis, patient instability and resuscitation often precludes its use. When imaging is performed, awareness of the causes of SAAE allows the radiologist to promptly diagnose the condition and relay findings to the clinicians so that treatment, namely hyperbaric oxygen therapy, may be started promptly.

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.

Successful Management of Massive Air Embolism During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Multimodal Neuroprotection Strategies.

Complications and critical events during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are very challenging, difficult to manage, and in some instances have the potential to lead to fatal outcomes. Massive cerebral air embolism is undoubtedly a feared complication during CPB. If not diagnosed and managed early, its effects are devastating and even fatal. It is a catastrophic complication and its early diagnosis and intraoperative management are still controversial. This is why the decision-making process during a massive cerebral air embolism represents a challenge for the entire surgical, anesthetic, and perfusion team. All caregivers involved in this event must synchronize their responses quickly, harmoniously, and in such a way that all interventions lead to minimizing the impact of this complication. Its occurrence leaves important lessons to the surgical team that faces it. The best management strategy for a complication of this type is prevention. Nevertheless, a surgical team may ultimately be confronted with such an occurrence at some point despite all the prevention strategies, as was the case with our patient. That is why, in each institution, no effort should be spared to establish cost-effective strategies for early detection and a clear and concise management protocol to guide actions once this complication is detected. It is the duty of each surgical team to determine and clearly organize which strategies will be followed. The purpose of this case study was to demonstrate that a massive air embolism can be rapidly detected using near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring and can be successfully corrected with a multimodal neuroprotection strategy.

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.

Simple handling of venous air embolism during abdominal myomectomy.

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.

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.

Informe de evaluación rápida de tecnología sobre seguridad y efectividad de la oxigenoterapia hiperbárica / Rapid evaluation report of technology on safety and effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

La oxigenación hiperbárica es una modalidad terapéutica no invasiva en la cual el pacientes respira oxígeno puro en el interior de una cámara de acero herméticamente cerrada, a presión atmosférica mayor a la ambiental (cámara hiperbárica). Existen solo dos efectos básicos que describen el mecanismo de acción de la OHB en el cuerpo humano, los cuales son: a. El efecto volumétrico, producido por la presión aumentada a la cual se somete el organismo. Dicho efecto es de fundamental importancia en la reducción del tamaño de las burbujas de gas que pueden contener los tejidos corporales como consecuencia de un accidente de buceo o iatrogenia médica (embolismo gaseoso en las intervenciones quirúrgicas u otros procedimientos terapéuticos invasivos), o el producido por bacterias anaerobias. b. El segundo efecto es solumétrico, debido al incremento de la presión parcial de oxígeno en los tejidos, siendo este multifacético, ya que a las presiones atmosféricas manejadas en este tratamiento el oxígeno se comporta como un fármaco con indicaciones específicas y posibles efectos adversos. Se recomienda cubrir en las siguientes condiciones: enfermedad por descompresión, embolia gaseosa, gangrena gaseosa, intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, fasceitis necrotizante, gangrena de Fournier, lesiones de pie diabético grado IV de Wagner, lesiones de bóveda craneal, parrilla costal, esternón, mandíbula, proctitis y enteritis.(AU)

Case reports: hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of cerebral air embolism.

Cerebral air embolism is one of the most deleterious disorders that may affect divers, but it is also a possible complication of surgeries and medical procedures. We report our experience with iatrogenic cerebral air embolism and hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Indications de l'oxygénothérapie hyperbare: mise à jour / Indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy: update

INTRODUCTION: Dans la première moitié du XXe siècle, l'oxygénothérapie hyperbare (OHB) fut utilisée pour le traitement des accidents de décompression. D'autres indications se sont ajoutées au fil des ans, de sorte que l'OHB est aujourd'hui recommandée par l'Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee de l'Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) pour prévenir ou traiter les 13 affections suivantes: 1) les accidents de décompression; 2) l'embolie gazeuse; 3) l'intoxication au monoxyde de carbone; 4) les radionécroses; 5) les plaies réfractaires; 6) les brûlures thermiques; 7) les problèmes de greffes de peau et de tissus; 8) la gangrène gazeuse; 9) les infections nécrosantes des tissus mous; 10) l'ostéomyélite réfractaire; 11) l'abcès intracrânien; 12) les lésions par écrasement, les syndromes compartimentaux et les traumatismes ischémiques aigus; et 13) les anémies particulières. Toutefois, à l'exception des situations d'urgence comme les accidents de décompression et les embolies gazeuses, les applications de l'OHB demeurent controversées dans la littérature scientifique. Dans ce contexte, le ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux a demandé à l'Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé (AETMIS) de revoir l'état actuel des connaissances sur l'utilisation de l'OHB pour la prévention et le traitement de ces 13 affections. Plus précisément, il désire savoir si depuis la publication du rapport du Conseil d'évaluation des technologies de la santé (CETS, le prédécesseur de l'AETMIS) en 2000, de nouvelles recherches ont donné des résultats probants quant à l'efficacité de cette technologie et si d'autres indications peuvent s'ajouter aux 13 premières. Rappelons que l'AETMIS a produit récemment deux rapports sur la place de l'OHB dans la prise en charge de la paralysie cérébrale et de l'autisme, deux indications non reconnues par les sociétés savantes. RÉSULTATS: Les études quantitatives et qualitatives publiées depuis 2000 sur les 13 indications et quelques autres affections traitées avec l'OHB ont été analysées. En ce qui concerne le traitement de la surdité cochléaire soudaine idiopathique, les connaissances actuelles indiquent que l'OHB réduirait significativement la perte d'audition dans les premières semaines suivant son apparition. Cependant, l'importance clinique de ce gain reste incertaine et ne peut donc justifier, pour le moment, le recours systématique à l'OHB sans l'appui de nouvelles études. Par contre, les experts de l'ECHM maintiennent la recommandation de 1994, qui préconise l'OHB pour le traitement de cette affection, jusqu'à ce qu'une étude européenne en cours sur le sujet soit terminée. Enfin, la place de l'OHB dans la prise en charge de la paralysie cérébrale et de l'autisme a été examinée de façon exhaustive dans deux rapports récents (2007) de l'AETMIS : selon l'état actuel des connaissances, ces applications restent expérimentales et la démonstration de leur efficacité nécessite des essais cliniques comparatifs rigoureux. CONCLUSION: L'objectif principal de ce rapport était de mettre à jour le précédent rapport du CETS publié en 2000 sur les indications reconnues de l'oxygénothérapie hyperbare (OHB). Étant donné la rareté de nouvelles études et la faible qualité de plusieurs d'entre elles, l'AETMIS a appuyé en grande partie son évaluation sur des consensus d'experts, dont les deux principaux sont issus de l'Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee de l'Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) et de l'European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM). Au terme de son évaluation, l'AETMIS conclut que les indications recommandées de l'oxygénothérapie hyperbare demeurent semblables, dans leur ensemble, bien que des précisions se soient ajoutées. Selon les données probantes (regroupées selon trois niveaux de preuve : A - élevé, B - moyen et C - faible), la liste des indications se présente maintenant comme suit: I. Indication recommandée en prévention: Ostéoradionécrose après une extraction dentaire en zone irradiée (niveau de preuve B; aucune nouvelle donnée). II. Indications recommandées en 1re intention de traitement: Accidents de décompression (niveau de preuve C) Embolie gazeuse artérielle ou veineuse compliquée (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée). III. Indications recommandées en 2e ou en 3e intention de traitement: Intoxication au monoxyde de carbone (niveau de preuve B) Gangrène gazeuse (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée). Nécroses infectieuses autres que la gangrène gazeuse (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée) Ostéoradionécrose mandibulaire, radionécrose des tissus mous et des greffes musculocutanées après une chirurgie majeure en zone irradiée, rectite hémorragique postradique (niveau de preuve B) et cystite hémorragique postradique (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée) Plaies réfractaires (lésions diabétiques, ulcères veineux de jambes) (niveau de preuve B) Greffes cutanées et musculocutanées en zone ischémique (niveau de preuve B; aucune nouvelle donnée) Ostéomyélite réfractaire (niveau de preuve C) Abcès intracrânien (niveau de preuve C) Lésions ischémiques et traumatiques : lésions par écrasement, syndrome compartimental et autres traumatismes ischémiques aigus (niveau de preuve B; aucune nouvelle donnée). IV. Indications recommandées en traitement optionnel: Brûlures thermiques (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée) Anémies particulières (niveau de preuve C; aucune nouvelle donnée). Pour la plupart de ces indications, les paramètres d'administration de l'OHB (durée d'exposition optimale, pression, fréquence des séances) restent à confirmer. Enfin, selon l'ECHM, l'OHB peut être un traitement optionnel de la surdité cochléaire soudaine idiopathique dans les premières semaines suivant son apparition (niveau de preuve B). Toutefois, selon la présente évaluation, de nouvelles études sont nécessaires pour justifier le recours systématique à l'OHB pour cette surdité particulière, puisque l'importance clinique des bénéfices obtenus reste incertaine. Pour d'autres affections, les données disponibles ne permettent pas de confirmer l'efficacité de l'OHB : il s'agit des affections malignes, des blessures sportives, du syndrome coronarien aigu, de la chirurgie cardiopulmonaire, des migraines et des céphalées, de la paralysie de Bell, des accidents vasculaires cérébraux et des traumatismes crâniens, et de la sclérose en plaques. Toutefois, le consensus d'experts de l'ECHM précise que l'OHB peut être un traitement optionnel du neuroblastome de stade IV, de la pneumatose kystique de l'intestin et de l'affection ophtalmique ischémique aiguë. Enfin, dans deux rapports récents (2007), l'AETMIS a déjà conclu que l'OHB constitue un traitement expérimental de la paralysie cérébrale et de l'autisme, deux indications aussi non reconnues par les sociétés savantes. Force est de constater que peu d'indications de l'oxygénothérapie hyperbare ont fait l'objet de recherches rigoureuses et que les données probantes sont rares. Il est clair que certaines affections ne se prêtent pas facilement à des recherches pour des raisons éthiques. Les consensus d'experts, bien que non complètement concordants, constituent donc l'assise principale qui appuie et justifie le recours à l'OHB pour une majorité d'indications cliniques. Ces consensus d'experts ouvrent également des avenues intéressantes à de nouvelles recherches de meilleure qualité méthodologique et à des expériences cliniques futures.

INTRODUCTION: During the first half of the 20th century, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy was used to treat decompression sickness. Other indications have been added over the years, with the result that the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) now recommends HBO therapy for the prevention or treatment of the following 13 conditions: 1) decompression sickness; 2) gas embolism; 3) carbon monoxide poisoning; 4) radionecrosis; 5) problem wounds; 6) thermal burns; 7) skin and tissue graft problems; 8) gas gangrene; 9) necrotizing soft-tissue infections; 10) refractory osteomyelitis; 11) intracranial abscess; 12) crush injuries, compartment syndromes and acute traumatic ischemia; and 13); exceptional blood loss anemias. However, with the exception of emergency situations such as decompression sickness and gas embolism, the applications of HBO therapy are still debated in the scientific literature. In this context, the Minister of Health and Social Services asked the Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé (AETMIS) to review the current state of knowledge concerning the use of HBO therapy to prevent and treat these 13 conditions. More specifically, it would like to know if, since the publication of the report by the Conseil d'évaluation des technologies de la santé (CETS, AETMIS's predecessor) in 2000, new research has yielded any evidence regarding the efficacy of this technology and if other indications could be added to these 13. It will be noted that AETMIS recently produced two reports on the role of HBO therapy in managing cerebral palsy and autism, two indications that are not recognized by the learned societies. RESULTS: The quantitative and qualitative studies published since 2000 on the 13 indications and a few other conditions treated with HBO therapy were analyzed. With regard to the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, the current knowledge indicates that HBO therapy would significantly reduce hearing loss during the first few weeks following its occurrence. However, the clinical importance of this gain is uncertain and cannot, therefore, justify, at this time, the systematic use of HBO therapy without the support of new studies. However, the ECHM's experts maintain the 1994 recommendation, which advises the use of HBO therapy to treat this condition, until an ongoing European study on this matter is completed. Lastly, the role of HBO therapy in managing cerebral palsy and autism is exhaustively examined in two recent AETMIS reports (2007). Based on the current state of knowledge, these applications are still experimental, and rigorous controlled clinical trials are needed to demonstrate their efficacy. CONCLUSION: The main objective of this report was to update the previous report (published by CETS in 2000) on the recognized indications for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Given the paucity of new studies and the fact that a number of them are of poor quality, AETMIS has, to a large extent, based its assessment on expert consensus, the two main ones being from the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM). At the end of its assessment, AETMIS concludes that, on the whole, the recommended indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy remain the same, although there is now additional information. Based on the evidence (classified into three levels: A - high; B - medium; C - low), the list of indications is now as follows: I. Recommended indication for prevention: Osteoradionecrosis after tooth extraction in an irradiated area (level of evidence: B; no new data). II. Recommended indications as first-line therapy: Decompression sickness (level of evidence: C). Complicated venous or arterial gas embolism (level of evidence: C; no new data). III. Recommended indications as second- or third-line therapy: Carbon monoxide poisoning (level of evidence: B). Gas gangrene (level of evidence: C; no new data). Infectious necroses other than gas gangrene (level of evidence: C; no new data). Mandibular osteoradionecrosis, radionecrosis of soft tissues and musculocutaneous grafts after major surgery in an irradiated area, hemorrhagic radiation rectitis (level of evidence: B) and hemorrhagic radiation cystitis (level of evidence: C; no new data). Problem wounds (diabetic lesions, venous leg ulcers) (level of evidence: B). Skin and musculocutaneous grafts in ischemic areas (level of evidence: B; no new data). Refractory osteomyelitis (level of evidence: C). Intracranial abscess (level of evidence: C). Ischemic and traumatic lesions: crush injuries, compartment syndromes and other acute traumatic ischemia (level of evidence: B; no new data). IV. Recommended indications as optional therapy: Thermal burns (level of evidence: C; no new data). Specific anemias (level of evidence: C; no new data). For most of these indications, the parameters for administering HBO therapy (optimum duration of exposure, pressure, frequency of sessions) have yet to be determined. Lastly, according to the ECHM, HBO therapy can be an optional treatment modality for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss during the first few weeks following its occurrence (level of evidence: B). However, according to this assessment report, new studies are required in order to justify the systematic use of HBO therapy for this particular type of hearing loss, since the clinical importance of the benefits that it confers is uncertain. For other conditions, it cannot be established from the available evidence that HBO therapy is effective. They are malignant conditions, sports injuries, acute coronary syndrome, cardiopulmonary surgery, migraine, Bell's palsy, head injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis. However, the ECHM expert consensus states that HBO therapy may be an optional treatment for stage IV neuroblastoma, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, and acute ischemic ophthalmological disorders. Lastly, in two recent reports (2007), AETMIS concludes that HBO therapy is an experimental treatment for cerebral palsy and autism, two indications that are also not recognized by the learned societies. It should be noted that few indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been rigorously studied and that the evidence is scarce. Obviously, for ethical reasons, certain conditions are not easily amenable to scientific research. Although they are not entirely concordant, the expert consensus are thus the main foundation for supporting and justifying the use of HBO therapy for most of the clinical indications. These expert consensuses are also opening up interesting avenues for new studies of better methodological quality and future clinical experiments.

Neumatosis intestinal y gas portal, asociada a trombosis portal: comunicación de un caso y revisión de literatura / Pneumatosis intestinalis and portal hepatic gas in asociation with portal thrombosis

Se presenta un caso clínico de una asociación infrecuente de Neumatosis intestinal con gas en vena porta y trombosis portal. Mujer de 37 años quien presenta cuadro de distensión y dolor abdominal de cuadro días de evolución. A su ingreso se encuentra afebril con presión arterial de 120/70. A su examen físico destaca sólo sensibilidad abdominal. Se realiza tomografía computada de abdomen y pelvis que muestra presencia de imágenes quísticas con gas en pared de colon ascendente, aire en sistema venoso portal y trombosis en rama de la vena porta. Se inicia tratamiento con antibióticos y oxígeno.La paciente evoluciona en forma favorable siendo dada de alta 11 días después de su ingreso. Varios estudios han mostrado que la Neumatosis intestinal aislada o con gas en la vena porta puede estar asociada a diferentes condiciones clínicas, sin embargo, la asociación de Neumatosis intestinal, gas y trombosis portal es un hallazgo infrecuente.

We report a rare condition of Pneumatosis intestinalis with hepatic portal venous gas associated to portal thrombosis. A 37 years old female presented with abdominal pain andbloating from four days before admission. Blood pressure was 120/70 and body temperature normal. Physical examination revealed only abdominal tenderness. CT scan showed intestinalgas-filled cysts, air in portal venous system and thrombosis at portal vein branches. Treatment with oxygen and antibiotic therapy was followed by a clinical improvement and patient was discharged after 11 days. Several studies have reported Pneumatosis intestinalis alone and with Hepatic portal venous gas in different pathological conditions. HoweverPneumatosis intestinalis with hepatic portal venous gas associated with portal thrombosis is a unusual condition.

Diving emergencies.

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving popularity is increasing tremendously, reaching a total of 9 million people in the US during 2001, and 50,000 in the UK in 1985. Over the past 10 years, new advances, equipment improvements, and improved diver education have made SCUBA diving safer and more enjoyable. Most diving injuries are related to the behaviour of the gases and pressure changes during descent and ascent. The four main pathologies in diving medicine include: barotrauma (sinus, otic, and pulmonary); decompression illness (DCI); pulmonary edema and pharmacological; and toxic effects of increased partial pressures of gases. The clinical manifestations of a diving injury may be seen during a dive or up to 24 h after it. Physicians living far away from diving places are not excluded from the possibility of encountering diver-injured patients and therefore need to be aware of these injuries. This article reviews some of the principles of diving and pathophysiology of diving injuries as well as the acute treatment, and further management of these patients.

A propósito de un caso de embolismo aéreo en cirugía de la glándula suprarrenal / e

El embolismo aéreo venoso es una complicación que ocasiona gran morbimortalidad. Describimos un caso de embolia aérea en cirugía de la glándula suprarrenal en paciente ASA I, que finalizó en parada cardiocirculatoria y con el fallecimiento del paciente. Debemos sospechar la embolia aérea en cualquier tipo de intervención quirúrgica, terapéutica o diagnóstica en la que pueda producirse un gradiente de presión superior a 5 cm H2O (AU)

[Hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion for treatment of air embolism during extracorporeal circulation]. / Perfusão cerebral retrógrada hipotérmica para tratamento de embolia gasosa durante circulação extracorpórea.

Air embolism during extracorporeal circulation is a life-threatening complication, requiring immediate response. During a recent case, brain damage was avoided using hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion, connecting the arterial line to superior vena cava cannula. Perfusion lasted 5 minutes at flow of 200ml/min. The patient had complete recovery and was discharged with normal neurologic status. The technique employed is described and steps for a face this accident are proposed.