Pulmonary emboli following therapeutic embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children.
BACKGROUND
Reports of the complicating side effect of pulmonary embolism (PE) following endovascular therapy of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in children have been limited in number. Details of its occurrence are yet to be fully elucidated.


OBJECTIVE
The hypothesis is that inadvertent pulmonary migration of embolic material is common and may go unrecognized.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients (ages 1 day to 16 years and 11 months) underwent embolization of a cerebral AVM with at least one material (cyanoacrylate, platinum coils, detachable balloons, polyvinyl alcohol particles). The medical records and chest radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Chest radiographs were available in 34 patients. The radiographs were analyzed for the presence or absence of foreign material in the lungs.


RESULTS
The chest radiographs in 12 patients (35%) showed pulmonary deposits of embolic material; cyanoacrylate in 10 patients and platinum coils in 2. Two of the patients with cyanoacrylate deposits in the lungs developed respiratory distress that required endotracheal intubation. The patients gradually improved after a time period of 7-10 days with conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
PE is not an uncommon complication in children undergoing embolization of brain AVM. Although usually asymptomatic, PE may cause severe symptoms.
Kjellin
I B
IB
Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Center of the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1721, USA.
Boechat
M I
MI
Vinuela
F
F
Westra
S J
SJ
Duckwiler
G R
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004659:Enbucrilate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010984:Platinum; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D010984:Platinum; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D004659:Enbucrilate