The roentgenographic findings associated with air embolism in sport scuba divers.
Records on all patients with arterial gas embolism (AGE) presenting to UCSD from 1982-1989 and for whom chest radiographs were available were reviewed. Of the 31 patients, 13 roentgenograms (42%) showed evidence of pulmonary barotrauma demonstrated by pneumomediastinum (N = 8), subcutaneous emphysema (N = 3), pneumocardium (N = 2), pneumoperitoneum (N = 1), or pneumothorax (N = 1). Pneumopericardium was not seen. Sixteen (52%) of the 31 patients had pulmonary infiltrates. Radiographic evidence of barotrauma was on occasion subtle, and in four cases was overlooked. Evidence of barotrauma (i.e., extra-alveolar air) was often identified along the left cardiac border, aortic arch, descending aorta, and hilar vessels. Subtle findings of ectopic air can confirm the clinical diagnosis of AGE; however, radiographic evidence of concomitant near drowning occurs more frequently.
Harker
C P
CP
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle.
Neuman
T S
TS
Olson
L K
LK
Jacoby
I
I
Santos
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies