Air Embolism During Posterior Spinal Fusion in a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report.
Venous air embolism is a rare but recognized complication of posterior spinal fusion surgery and epidural placement using a loss of resistance to air technique. We report a case of a probable venous air embolism causing cardiac arrest in a 10-year-old girl undergoing posterior spinal fusion in the prone position. The most likely source of the embolism was injection of air into the epidural space from a loss of resistance to air technique. This case also demonstrates the potential for paradoxical cerebral embolism in the absence of an intracardiac defect.
From the Department of Anaesthesia, Lady Cilento Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Paul F
PF
Lee-Archer
Brett
B
Chaseling
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D056888:Patient Positioning; D016684:Prone Position; D012307:Risk Factors; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome