Venous air emboli from intravenous catheterization: a report of iatrogenic intravascular pneumocephalus.
Pneumocephalus in the absence of a recent intracranial or intrathecal procedure is a significant radiographic finding and may be clinically relevant. Pneumocephalus secondary to intravenous catheterization may be a more common finding than previously expected. Although pneumocephalus is often associated with pathological conditions, recognition of a characteristic pattern of intravenous pneumocephalus in the presence of intravenous catheterization may aid the clinician in determining a patient's underlying condition. This unexpected radiographic finding should not necessarily be cause for alarm, and there is no evidence that intravenous pneumocephalus alone is harmful. We present a patient with intravenous pneumocephalus and a review of the literature.
Syed
Omar N
ON
Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Neurological Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA. ons2101@columbia.edu
Weintraub
David
D
DeLaPaz
Robert
R
Connolly
E Sander
ES
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed