Fatal cerebral air embolism related to an air flight

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developed a cough, loss of consciousness, and convulsions during an air flight. Chest radiography showed a large lung bulla. Computed tomography of the brain showed intraparenchymal air and bilateral cerebral infarcts. The findings were compatible...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi 2013-08, Vol.19 (4), p.352-353
Main Authors: Yeung, Jessie T H, Ma, Johnny K F, Mak, Y F, Lam, Vincent S C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Air Travel
Embolism, Air - etiology
Embolism, Air - pathology
Fatal Outcome
Humans
Intracranial Embolism - etiology
Intracranial Embolism - pathology
Male
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - complications
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developed a cough, loss of consciousness, and convulsions during an air flight. Chest radiography showed a large lung bulla. Computed tomography of the brain showed intraparenchymal air and bilateral cerebral infarcts. The findings were compatible with cerebral air embolism, most likely predisposed to by lung bulla and an air flight. The underlying pathology and possible treatment are discussed.
ISSN:1024-2708
2226-8707
DOI:10.12809/hkmj133898