Gas embolism following intraosseous medication application proven by post-mortem multislice computed tomography and autopsy.
The post-mortem use of modern imaging techniques such as multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is becoming increasingly important as an aid for conventional autopsy. This article presents a case of a 4-month-old boy who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with intravascular gas after an intraosseus medication application documented by post-mortem MSCT. It is most likely that the gas entered the body during resuscitation. This case emphasises the advantage of post-mortem imaging as a complementary aid for the autopsy. We conclude that during emergency treatment, the medical staff should be aware of the possibility of causing a gas embolism following intraosseus medication. Resuscitation with an inserted, disconnected intraosseous needle should be avoided.
Hillewig
Elke
E
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Aghayev
Emin
E
Jackowski
Christian
C
Christe
Andreas
A
Plattner
Thomas
T
Thali
Michael J
MJ
D001344:Autopsy; D001842:Bone and Bones; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012151:Resuscitation; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D004837:Epinephrine