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[Ischemic brain infarction after an air embolism. Case report]
Patricio Mellado T1, Freddy Constanzo P, Juan Francisco Miquel P
1Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital Clinico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. pmellado@med.puc.cl
Revista Medica De Chile
|June 15, 2005
Summary
Air embolic stroke is a rare complication of endoscopic procedures. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment in a critical care setting are crucial for managing this serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Air embolic stroke is an uncommon cause of ischemic stroke.
- Endoscopic procedures, while common, rarely lead to air embolism.
- Recognizing the temporal link between endoscopy and neurological symptoms is key for diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old woman with ovarian cancer experienced altered consciousness during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
- Initial treatment with Flumazenil was ineffective.
- Cerebral CT scan revealed multiple air emboli in the right cerebral arteries' watershed area.
Findings:
- The patient presented with neurological deficits consistent with ischemic stroke.
- CT imaging confirmed the presence of air embolism in cerebral vasculature.
- Despite conservative management, the patient's outcome was poor.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe neurological complications from endoscopic procedures.
- Prompt diagnosis and aggressive management, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, are critical.
- Further research into preventative strategies during endoscopy is warranted to reduce morbidity and mortality.