Vascular air embolism complicating percutaneous nephrolithotomy: medical malpractice or fatal unforeseeable complication?
Vascular air embolism (VAE) can be a lethal complication of surgical approaches, and it has been documented in various urologic procedures. A case of VAE complicating a percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a 47-year-old man is presented, well documented by immunohistochemical examination of lung samples and three-dimensional imaging of histologic sections with confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia, Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo, Foggia, Italy.
Emanuela
E
Turillazzi
Cristoforo
C
Pomara
Raffaella
R
Bisceglia
Margherita
M
Neri
Irene
I
Riezzo
Giorgio
G
Pomara
Francesco
F
Francesca
Vittorio
V
Fineschi
D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects*