title: Fatal air embolism following perforation of the cecum in a patient with peritoneovenous shunt for ascites.
abstract: The authors report the occurrence of fatal embolism as a complication of a LeVeen peritoneovenous shunt performed four months previously in a 67-year old man with ascites. Air embolism was caused by perforation of the cecum following cauterization of a vascular malformation of the mucosa through a flexible colonoscope. An autopsy demonstrated air within the peritoneal cavity, the LeVeen shunt and both ventricles of the heart. In the patient with a LeVeen shunt, gastrointestinal perforation from any cause is an indication for immediate closure of the shunt.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000601:surgery; D001201:Ascites / Q000628:therapy*; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D002432:Cecum / Q000098:blood supply; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010536:Peritoneovenous Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*