A venous air embolism can occur as a result of circumstances that include blunt head or chest trauma, thoracentesis, arterial catheterization, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and Caisson disease. The formation of a venous air embolism requires an air source, interaction between the air source and the vessel, and a pressure gradient supporting air migration into the vessel. Air enters through the impaired venous structure and travels to the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries, and depending on the amount of air, may occasionally be fatal. This report is the description of the case of a 3-year-old child who developed a fatal venous and cerebral embolism during neurosurgery for the treatment of skull fractures with epidural and subdural bleeding due to blunt head and chest trauma resulting from a television falling on her. The pathophysiology of death and notes regarding the medico-legal autopsy procedure in such cases are discussed. Meticulous autopsy techniques must be used to determine the presence of an air embolism in cases of blunt trauma, especially in patients with blunt trauma to the head who die during neurosurgery, and possible future malpractice claims should be kept in mind.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.5505/tjtes.2018.58201 | DOI Listing |
Respir Res
January 2025
Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetic Detection and Intelligent Perception, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
Background: Acute pulmonary embolism represents the third most prevalent cardiovascular pathology, following coronary heart disease and hypertension. Its untreated mortality rate is as high as 20-30%, which represents a significant threat to patient survival. In view of the current lack of real-time monitoring techniques for acute pulmonary embolism, this study primarily investigates the potential of the pulsatility electrical impedance tomography (EIT) technique for the detection and real-time monitoring of acute pulmonary embolism through the collection and imaging of the pulsatile signal of pulmonary blood flow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurg Neurol Int
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Padilla Hospital of Tucuman, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina.
Background: Petroclival meningiomas are still a neurosurgical challenge due to their proximity to cranial nerves and cerebral vasculature along the surgical corridor. The usual extension of large petroclival meningiomas is along the posterior fossa, frequently compromising and displacing adjunct cranial nerves such as the sixth and seventh-eight cranial nerve complex with brainstem compression, causing progressive neurological deficit and severe headache. The goal of sizeable petroclival meningioma surgery treatment is a maximal resection with preservation of neurological function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicina (Kaunas)
December 2024
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Anthea Hospital GVM Care and Research, Via Camillo Rosalba 35/37, 70124 Bari, Italy.
In coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on pump, achieving optimal visualization is critical for surgical precision and safety. The use of blowers to clear the CABG anastomosis poses risks, including the formation of micro-embolic gas bubbles, which can be insidious and increase the risk of cerebral or myocardial complications. This retrospective study compares the effectiveness of the use of irrigation mist and CO versus a direct CO blower without irrigation in terms of visualization, postoperative fibrillation, and micro-embolic gas activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTree Physiol
January 2025
Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.
During drought, the formation of air bubbles known as embolisms in the water-conducting xylem reduces hydraulic conductivity, which can ultimately result in tree death. Accurately quantifying vulnerability to embolism formation is therefore essential for understanding tree hydraulics. Acoustic emission (AE) analysis offers a non-destructive method to monitor this process, yet the interpretation of captured signals remains debated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiol Rev
December 2024
Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
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