title: Catastrophic venous air embolism during craniotomy in the supine position: the bleeding pattern as a warning sign?
abstract: Venous air embolism is a serious complication during a neurosurgical procedure. Here is a case of a massive venous air embolism causing cardiac arrest in the supine position surgery. Identifying the alternative inflation and collapse of the sinus and taking emergency measures to avoid catastrophic result are important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Sung-Tai
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Der-Cherng
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002388:Catastrophic Illness; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D056888:Patient Positioning; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D020225:Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D012773:Shock, Surgical / Q000209:etiology; D016683:Supine Position