title: Massive paradoxical air embolism in brain occurring after central venous catheterization: a case report.
abstract: Cerebral air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism associated with central venous catheterization. An 85-yr-old man underwent right internal jugular vein catheterization, and became obtunded. Brain MR imaging and CT revealed acute infarction with multiple air bubbles on the side of catheter insertion. The possibility of cerebral air embolism should be considered in patients developing neurological impairment after central venous catheterization, and efforts should be made to limit cerebral damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University, School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Sook
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sam Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Pyo
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Seo-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bong-Ki
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed