title: In-flight seizures and fatal air embolism: the importance of a chest radiograph.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe for the first time, to our knowledge, a case of recurrent in-flight-dependent seizures related to commercial airline flight in which the patient experienced a fatal air embolism secondary to a giant bronchogenic cyst.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A female airline passenger presented with a seizure, then unconsciousness and death. The patient had experienced 2 previous episodes of in-flight seizures without any sequelae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient had an air embolism proved by findings on cranial computed tomography (CT) and a CT perfusion study. The embolism was secondary to a giant bronchogenic cyst that was evident on chest CT. The patient was examined after the previous episodes of in-flight seizures, but no chest radiography had been performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose minor air embolism as a cause of in-flight seizures. This type of seizure can signify the existence of a giant bronchogenic cyst. We believe that obtaining a chest radiograph can be useful in patients with a history of in-flight seizures to rule out the presence of a bronchogenic cyst and to prevent a possibly fatal air embolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Avenida Valdecilla s/n, Santander, Spain. javierarnaiz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnaiz
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marco de Lucas
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Piedra
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Arnaiz Garcia
authors.forename: Ashesh D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
mesh_terms: D000401:Aircraft; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed