A Case of Massive Air Embolism after Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography.

Park, Byeong Chool; Kil, Ho; Park, Chan Sun; Jeong, Jee In; Choi, Eun Young; Shin, Yoon Mi; Lee, Ki Man; Kim, Sung Jin

doi:2007.63.2.178

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 63(2); 2007 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2007;63(2):178-182.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2007.63.2.178 Published online August 1, 2007.

A Case of Massive Air Embolism after Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography.

Byeong Chool Park, Ho Kil, Chan Sun Park, Jee In Jeong, Eun Young Choi, Yoon Mi Shin, Ki Man Lee, Sung Jin Kim

¹Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea. choekh@chungbuk.ac.kr
²Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

Abstract

A venous air embolism is a complication of various venous access procedures such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Although most cases of iatrogenic venous air embolisms during CECT involve a few milliliters of air and are asymptomatic, a massive venous air embolism can be fatal. We report a case of a massive intraventricular air embolism after CECT with a review of the literature regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of air embolisms.

Key Words: Air embolism, Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, Complication