title: Cerebral air embolism during imaging of a sentinel lymphatic drainage in the respiratory tract.
abstract: We report a rare but notable case of cerebral air embolism complicating transthoracic intrapulmonary injection of an imaging agent used to locate sentinel lymph nodes. After a bolus injection of 2 mL of iopamidol into the peritumoral area with a 23-gauge needle, the patient complained of complete paralysis on his left side. Intraaortic gas was detected by computed tomography immediately after the injection. The patient recovered spontaneously without any additional complication. Surgeons should be aware of this rare but possible complication during sentinel lymph node assessment.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. kaueda@c-able.ne.jp
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaneda
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudo
authors.forename: Mitsutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jinbo
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suga
authors.forename: Kimikazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamono
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol