Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach
04:47

Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach

Published on: June 23, 2023

Fatal cerebral air embolism following uneventful flexible bronchoscopy

Andrea Azzola1, Christophe von Garnier, Prashant N Chhajed

  • 1Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|November 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of flexible bronchoscopy. This study reports two cases in non-small cell lung cancer patients, highlighting the need for prompt recognition and specific interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Neurology
  • Interventional Procedures

Background:

  • Flexible bronchoscopy is a common and generally safe diagnostic tool.
  • Post-interventional cerebral air embolism is a rarely reported complication.
  • Its precise incidence following bronchoscopic procedures remains largely unknown.

Observation:

  • Two patients with non-small cell lung cancer developed fatal cerebral air embolism after diagnostic bronchoscopy.
  • Procedures included transbronchial needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsy.
  • This represents a complication frequency of less than 0.02% at the reporting institution.

Findings:

  • Cerebral air embolism can occur despite the low overall complication rates of flexible bronchoscopy.
  • Early supportive measures are critical for patient management.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was administered to one patient.

Implications:

  • Prompt recognition of cerebral air embolism is essential for timely intervention.
  • High-flow oxygen administration is recommended.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered when available.
  • Positive pressure ventilation should be avoided if possible to prevent worsening the condition.

More Related Videos

Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy Combined with Multimodal Imaging for Targeted Lung Cryobiopsies04:10

Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy Combined with Multimodal Imaging for Targeted Lung Cryobiopsies

Published on: July 19, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy01:30

Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy

Endoscopy is a non-surgical medical technique used to examine a person's internal organs and vessels. This lesson will focus on two types of endoscopic studies: bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy.
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques01:30

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

Airway management is essential in emergency and surgical medicine, ensuring ventilation and oxygenation in patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Clinicians use a range of techniques and devices to secure the airway, depending on the patient’s condition and the clinical context. Key methods include endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), supraglottic airway devices, and advanced visualization aids. In cases where these approaches fail, surgical airway interventions are...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Endotracheal Tube Extubation01:24

Endotracheal Tube Extubation

Endotracheal tube extubation is a critical procedure in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. It involves physically removing the oral or nasal endotracheal (ET) tube, marking the final step in liberating a patient from ventilatory support.
Procedure
Extubation removes the endotracheal tube (ETT) from the patient on mechanical ventilation. It requires a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...