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Massive cerebral arterial air embolism following arterial catheterization

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Microscopic cerebral arterial air embolism (CAAE) has been described in many patients undergoing cardiac surgery as well as other invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, massive CAAE is rare. We report a 42-year-old woman who initially presented with thalamic and basal ganglia hemorrhages. Shortly after a radial arterial catheter was inserted, the patient suffered a generalized seizure and CT demonstrated intra-arterial air in bilateral cerebral hemispheres.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Northwestem University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    C. W. Yang

  2. Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    B. P. Yang

Authors
  1. C. W. Yang
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  2. B. P. Yang
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Correspondence to C. W. Yang.

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Yang, C.W., Yang, B.P. Massive cerebral arterial air embolism following arterial catheterization. Neuroradiology 47, 892–894 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1437-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-005-1437-x

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