title: Cerebral arterial gas embolism after pre-flight ingestion of hydrogen peroxide.
abstract: Cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) is a feared complication of ambient depressurisation and can also be a complication of hydrogen peroxide ingestion. We present an unusual case of CAGE in a 57-year-old woman exposed to both of these risk factors. We describe her subsequent successful treatment with hyperbaric oxygen, despite a 72-hour delay in initial presentation and diagnosis, and discuss the safety of aero-medical transfer following hydrogen peroxide ingestions.
authors.affiliation: Rockingham General Hospital, Rockingham, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Ben L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Smedley
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia.|Western Australia and New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gault
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia.|Western Australia and New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, Australia.|Fiona Stanley Hyperbaric Unit, 11 Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch, 6150, Western Australia, E-mail: ian.gawthrope@health.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Gawthrope
mesh_terms: D064870:Air Travel; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D016877:Oxidants; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; aviation; barometric pressure; barotrauma; case reports