title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for systemic gas embolism after hydrogen peroxide ingestion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly available product and its ingestion has been demonstrated to produce in vivo gas bubbles, which can embolize to devastating effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report two cases of hydrogen peroxide ingestion with resultant gas embolization, one to the portal system and one cerebral embolus, which were successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), and review the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two individuals presented to our center after unintentional ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide solutions. Symptoms were consistent with portal gas emboli (Patient A) and cerebral gas emboli (Patient B), which were demonstrated on imaging. They were successfully treated with HBO and recovered without event.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As demonstrated by both our experience as well as the current literature, HBO has been used to successfully treat gas emboli associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion. We recommend consideration of HBO in any cases of significant hydrogen peroxide ingestion with a clinical picture compatible with gas emboli.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sherwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Courage
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dolcourt
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Jacek R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Brudzewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mosteller
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Hyperbaric Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000506:poisoning*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: H(2)O(2); gas emboli; hydrogen peroxide; hyperbaric oxygen; ingestion; oxygen emboli