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Venous air embolism during knee arthrography. A case report.
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagano Rehabilitation Center, Japan.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|January 1, 1991
Summary
A rare case of venous air embolism occurred during knee arthrography in a 34-year-old man. Prompt recognition and treatment are vital for this potentially fatal complication.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Vascular Surgery
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Knee arthrography is an imaging procedure used to diagnose knee joint abnormalities.
- Complications, though rare, can arise from invasive procedures like arthrography.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old male patient experienced a nonfatal venous air embolism during knee arthrography.
- The patient had a post-traumatic knee contracture, potentially creating an abnormal venous pathway.
Findings:
- Arthrographic findings suggested that injected air entered the great saphenous vein through a venous opening in the knee joint.
- This indicates a rare but possible route for air to enter the venous system during knee arthrography.
Implications:
- Venous air embolism is an extremely rare complication of knee arthrography.
- Immediate recognition and appropriate management, including positional and supportive therapy, are crucial due to the potentially fatal nature of air embolism.