Air embolism during anaesthesia for arthography in a child

An infant aged 5 months, weighing 6 kg and suffering from congenital dislocation of the hip joint, was subjected to air arthrography of the right hip joint under general anaesthesia. Air embolism occurred following injection of air into the joint. The clinical management is described. Resuscitation was successfully accomplished and the patient was discharged from hospital without untoward sequelae.