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Farouji I, Chan KH, Abed H, DaCosta T, Vefali B, Joseph O, Slim J, DaCosta T, Suleiman A. Cerebral Air Embolism After Gastrointestinal Procedure: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Med Cases 2021; 12:119-125. [PMID: 34434442 PMCID: PMC8383579 DOI: 10.14740/jmc3639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is one of the forefronts of minimally invasive modalities with excellent safety records and tremendous capability but despite its accolades and functions, there are still very rare complications including air embolism. It is a life-threatening condition that could lead to a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. However, there are limited data for incidence of air embolism in association with gastrointestinal endoscopy. Diagnosis of air embolism after or during gastrointestinal endoscopy might be a difficult task due to overlapping presentations with anesthesia effects on the cardiopulmonary and the neurological systems, as a result, there should be increased awareness allowing clinicians to quickly rule out air embolism in patient with altered mental status or cardiopulmonary changes after or during gastrointestinal endoscopy. Herein, we report a unique case of cerebral air embolism after EGD in a 79-year-old female patient. In addition, we also performed a systematic review of cases based on PRISMA guideline, with the aim to investigate the demographics and clinical outcomes associated with this complication. This systematic review of cases hopes to increase the awareness about this rare entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iyad Farouji
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Kok Hoe Chan
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Hossam Abed
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Theodore DaCosta
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Baris Vefali
- Saint George's University School of Medicine, West Indies
| | - Ormena Joseph
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jihad Slim
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Theodore DaCosta
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Addi Suleiman
- Department of Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Saint Michael's Medical Centre, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ, USA
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Ekmektzoglou K, Alexandrakis G, Dimopoulos K, Tsibouris P, Kalantzis C, Vlachou E, Apostolopoulos P. When in Trouble Think of the Bubble: Paradoxical Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism after Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2021; 15:456-469. [PMID: 34054400 PMCID: PMC8138231 DOI: 10.1159/000514706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Air embolism (a result of direct communication with the vasculature and an external pressure gradient from the gastrointestinal or the biliary tract), although rare, is a potentially devastating adverse event seen in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Whether venous, arterial, or paradoxical, the clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic patients to cardiorespiratory arrest. This is of particular importance because it makes the diagnosis of air embolism even more difficult in an already sedated patient. Since early recognition increases the chances of patients' survival, endoscopists should be highly motivated and trained to recognize this complication as early as possible. With only 60 cases of air embolism reported (and even fewer related to paradoxical air embolism), we aimed to report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism in a patient undergoing ERCP due to a common bile duct stricture and to provide a mini-review of this clinical entity that can serve as a bedside quick reference guide for endoscopists worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Ekmektzoglou
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Gastroenterology, Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Erasmia Vlachou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Army Share Fund Hospital, Athens, Greece
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