Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
[Iatrogenic venous cerebral air embolism without pulmonary manifestation: A retrograde mechanism?]
N Raposo1, F Faiz, J-F Albucher
1Service de neurologie vasculaire, hôpital Purpan, pavillon Riser, CHU de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse cedex 3, France. raposo.n@chu-toulouse.fr
Introduction:
Air embolism is a rare complication of various invasive medical procedures. Venous cerebral air embolism is usually the consequence of paradoxical embolism. We report a case of isolated cerebral air embolism resulting from a non-paradoxical mechanism.
Case Report:
A few minutes after his central venous catheter had been accidentally disconnected, a 63-year-old man developed left-sided rhythmic jerking movements followed by left hemiplegia. There were no associated cardiologic or pulmonary signs. Brain CT showed air bubbles in the right frontal cortical sulci. The brain MRI DWI and FLAIR sequences showed a high intensity right frontal cortical lesion without reduction in ADC. Transesophageal echocardiogram did not find a patent foramen ovale.
Conclusions:
In this case of venous cerebral air embolism, the lack of any cardiopulmonary manifestation, the lack of a patent foramen ovale and the neuroradiological findings are not in favor of the hypothesis of paradoxical embolism. The hypothesis of retrograde venous cerebral air embolism is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
