title: Air embolism after intravenous injection of contrast material.
abstract: Venous air embolism, though considered rare, occurs more frequently than it is recognized. We report the case of a 54-year-old man who was incidentally found to have air in the left brachiocephalic vein and right ventricle after contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Air embolism has been noted to occur after contrast-enhanced CT examination in up to 23% of patients. Because these emboli are small to moderate size and are usually venous, the patients are usually asymptomatic. We review the pathophysiology of air embolization and the recommended treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ie
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rozans
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Szerlip
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media