Systemic air embolism in a patient with ingestion of a foreign body

• Published in: Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery 2009-02, Vol.8 (2), p.292-294
• Main Authors: Blanco Ramos, Montserrat, Rivo Vazquez, Jose Eduardo, Garcia-Fontan, Eva, Amoedo, Teresa Otero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bone and Bones; Debridement; Embolism, Air - diagnostic imaging; Embolism, Air - etiology; Esophageal Fistula - etiology; Esophageal Perforation - etiology; Esophagus; Female; Fishes; Foreign Bodies - complications; Heart Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Heart Diseases - etiology; Humans; Mediastinitis - etiology; Mediastinitis - surgery; Middle Aged; Respiration, Artificial - adverse effects; Thoracotomy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 1569-9293; 1569-9285
• DOI: 10.1510/icvts.2008.190645

a Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vigo University Clinical Hospital, c/Pizarro 22, 36204, Vigo, Spain b Department of Anesthesiology, Vigo University Clinical Hospital, c/Pizarro 22, 36204, Vigo, Spain *Corresponding author. Tel.: [phone]. E-mail address : montseblancoramos{at}hotmail.com (M. Blanco Ramos). Air embolism is defined as the entry of gas into a vascular structure. Frequently it is iatrogenic and can result in serious morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with mediastinitis as a result of ingestion of a fishbone. Mediastinal debridement was performed which was complicated in the postoperative period by a systemic air embolism, as documented by computed tomography and clinical features. Key Words: Systemic air embolism; Esophageal perforation; Acute mediastinitis