title: Systemic Air Embolism Associated with Pleural Pigtail Chest Tube Insertion.
abstract: Pleural pigtail catheter placement is associated with many complications including pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and chest pain. Air embolism is a known but rare complication of pleural pigtail catheter insertion and has a high risk of occurrence with positive pressure ventilation. In this case report, we present a 50-year-old male with bilateral pneumonia who developed a pneumothorax while on mechanical ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure mode. During the placement of the pleural pigtail catheter to correct the pneumothorax, the patient developed a sudden left sided body weakness and became unresponsive. An air embolism was identified in the right main cerebral artery, which was fatal.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alkhankan
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nusair
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
authors.forename: Rida
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazagri
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8887-6004
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Ourani