Cerebral air embolism resulting in fatal stroke in an airplane passenger with a pulmonary bronchogenic cyst.
BACKGROUND
Cerebral air embolism is a rare cause of stroke, but may occur in patients undergoing invasive cardiac and pulmonary procedures, as well as in divers suffering pulmonary barotrauma from rapid ascent. Cerebral air embolism during air travel, however, is particularly rare.


METHODS
We present a case of a previously healthy gentleman who presented with an acute stroke after a commercial flight; the stroke was initially felt to be of cardioembolic origin. A large intrapulmonary cyst was noted on his imaging studies, but thought to be an incidental finding. During a return flight, he suffered another stroke and was found to have cerebral air emboli.


CONCLUSIONS
This case suggests the importance of considering cerebral air embolism in patients with stroke associated with air travel; restricting air travel in patients with intrapulmonary cysts may be prudent.
Edwardson
Matthew
M
Department of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Center, 359775 HMC, 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA.
Wurth
Denise
D
Lacy
J Matthew
JM
Fink
James
J
Becker
Kyra
K
D000368:Aged; D000401:Aircraft; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000150:complications*; D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed