title: Cerebral Air Embolism: A Clinical, Radiologic and Histopathologic Correlation.
abstract: Cerebral air embolism is a recognized life-threatening complication, sometimes iatrogenic. Its timely diagnosis is essential because it can result in neurologic deficits or death. We report a case of a 58-year-old man who died from cerebral air embolism diagnosed by nonenhanced computed tomography scan of the head after a cardiac bypass surgery with Biventricular Assist Device and multiple vascular line placements. Autopsy revealed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, intravascular and perivascular air bubbles in the central nervous system and associated cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction. The autopsy was helpful in documenting the extent of the air embolism and its appearance in soft tissue and central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: From the *Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, University of Michigan, Detroit; and †Neuropathology Division, Pathology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Leonardo Pacheco
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Roquero
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Camelo-Piragua
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed