CT diagnosis of delayed cerebral air embolism following intraaortic balloon pump catheter insertion.
Air embolism to the brain occurred several days after insertion of an intraaortic balloon pump. CT demonstrated diffuse hemispheric edema along with two small collections of air in the cerebral hemispheres. Early diagnosis of air embolism to the brain allows early institution of proper therapy in this life-threatening condition.
D000368:Aged; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed