title: Massive cerebral air embolism after blunt chest trauma with full neurological recovery.
abstract: Cerebral air embolism (CAE) is a common, often lethal, complication in blunt and penetrating chest trauma. The factors affecting the outcome of CAE patients are poorly understood, and there is no generally accepted treatment algorithm. In this report, we present the case of a 28-year-old male motorcyclist with a massive CAE, including bilateral internal carotid artery air on computed tomographic examination following blunt chest trauma. With prehospital intubation, oxygen, transfusion, and open laparotomy but without any specific treatment regarding the CAE, a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan approximately 6 hours later showed resolution of the cerebrovascular air. Recovery was unremarkable, and the patient was discharged neurologically intact after 22 days.
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Reith
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Bertil
authors: B
authors: Bouillon
authors: †Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Samir G
authors: SG
authors: Sakka
authors: †Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Jerome M
authors: JM
authors: Defosse
authors: ‡Department of Radiology,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Gossmann
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Probst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
keywords: arterial air embolism; blunt chest trauma; bronchial fistula; neurological recovery; treatment options