Air embolism complicating percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy.
This is a report of a lethal venous air embolism complicating percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy. Sudden death occurred during the course of the procedure. Evidence of air embolism was detected at autopsy. Air embolism occurred because a suction pump was connected backwards, forcing air into the urinary tract rather than aspirating irrigating fluid as intended. This mishap has not previously been reported as a complication of this procedure.
D000328:Adult; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology