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Updated: May 28, 2026
09:11
Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for Ischemic Stroke with Homologous Blood Clots in Rats
Published on: September 17, 2014
Cerebral and systemic infarcts after bronchial artery embolization
Elia M Pestana Knight1, Paula M Novelli, Sucheta M Joshi
1Division of Pediatric Epilepsy, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Pediatric Neurology
|October 18, 2011
Summary
Bronchial artery embolization can cause rare but serious brain and body embolisms in cystic fibrosis patients. Early recognition of neurologic symptoms post-procedure is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a standard treatment for hemoptysis, particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF).
- Microsphere embolization is a common technique used in BAE.
- Complications, though rare, require careful consideration.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old female with CF presented with hemoptysis, treated with bilateral BAE using microspheres (300-500 μm and 500-700 μm).
- Post-procedure, she developed delirium, headache, altered mental status, hyperreflexia, and a cyanotic digit.
- Neuroimaging revealed multiple embolic infarcts in the cerebellum, thalamus, and cerebral hemispheres.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with cerebral and systemic embolism following BAE.
- Thrombophilia screening identified heterozygosity for the prothrombin 20210A mutation.
- Echocardiogram results were normal, ruling out cardiac embolic sources.
Implications:
- This is the first reported pediatric case of cerebral and systemic embolism after BAE.
- Patients with chronic lung disease undergoing BAE may be at risk for anomalous arterial-arterial shunts, predisposing them to embolism.
- Clinicians should suspect embolism in patients with acute neurologic signs after BAE, especially those with underlying lung conditions.
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