Cerebral air embolism during imaging of a sentinel lymphatic drainage in the respiratory tract.
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.
Ueda
Kazuhiro
K
First Department of Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. kaueda@c-able.ne.jp
Kaneda
Yoshikazu
Y
Sudo
Manabu
M
Jinbo
Mitsutaka
M
Suga
Kazuyoshi
K
Hamono
Kimikazu
K
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
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol