Systemic air embolism in a patient with ingestion of a foreign body.
Air embolism is defined as the entry of gas into a vascular structure. Frequently it is iatrogenic and can result in serious morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with mediastinitis as a result of ingestion of a fishbone. Mediastinal debridement was performed which was complicated in the postoperative period by a systemic air embolism, as documented by computed tomography and clinical features.
Blanco Ramos
Montserrat
M
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vigo University Clinical Hospital, Vigo, Spain. montseblancoramos@hotmail.com
Rivo Vázquez
José Eduardo
JE
García-Fontán
Eva
E
Amoedo
Teresa Otero
TO
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones; D003646:Debridement; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D004947:Esophagus; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed