title: Fatal air embolism during sigmoidoscopy performed under spinal anesthesia.
abstract: Air embolism is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic event that occurs when air enters the vasculature. Because of a scared and friable colorectal mucosa, patients with anastomotic stricture are at an increased risk of complications associated with sigmoidoscopy such as bowel perforation and bleeding. This is a report of fatal air embolism confirmed on an immediate postmortem chest radiograph in a patient with a high colorectal anastomotic stricture undergoing sigmoidoscopy under spinal anesthesia is reported. The literature on air embolism in patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, King Khalid University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Thamer Bin
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Traiki
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, King Khalid University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Jumana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, King Khalid University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Boukae
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, King Khalid University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zubaidi
keywords: Air embolism; adult spinal analgesia; sigmoidescopy flexible