title: Tension pneumocephalus and oxygen emboli from hydrogen peroxide irrigation.
abstract: Hydrogen peroxide irrigation is commonly utilised in neurosurgical and non-neurosurgical procedures for its bacteriocidal and haemostatic effects, however it has been associated with devastating complications such as tension pneumocephalus, O2 embolism and even dysrhythmias. We report a patient who suffered hydrogen peroxide-related mortality due to widespread tension pneumocephalus and O2 emboli.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Department, Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, 3/7 Eldridge Crescent, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia. Electronic address: rachliszt@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Australian Capital Territory Neurospine Clinic, Deakin, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: Hydrogen peroxide; Oxygen emboli; Oxygen embolus; Peroxynitrite; Tension pneumocephalus