Vertebral venous air embolism: an unusual complication following colonoscopy: report of a case.
Although fiberoptic colonoscopy has gained wide popularity as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, there remains an inherent complication rate following colonoscopic evaluation. Endoscopically induced bowel perforation and uncontrolled bleeding often necessitate immediate surgical intervention. Another often-unrecognized complication is the introduction of air into the vertebral venous system. A case of vertebral venous air embolism after routine diagnostic colonoscopy is reported with a review of current literature.
Chorost
Mitchell I
MI
Department of Surgery, State University Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York 11209, USA.
Wu
James T
JT
Webb
Hueldine
H
Ghosh
Bimal C
BC
D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed