Fatal Air Embolism: A Rare Complication of Bronchogenic Cysts in an Airplane Passenger

摘要

A 69-year-old woman experienced aphasia and tonic-clonic seizures shortly after the takeoff of a flight. A computed tomography scan of the head revealed multiple gas emboli (Figure 1A and see online supplement). Chest computed tomography demonstrated a large bronchogenic cyst with air-fluid level (Figures 1B and 1C). After 20 hours, the patient underwent hyperbaric therapy and developed asystole during decompression. After regaining spontaneous circulation, an electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation (Figure 1D) that normalized within 3 hours (Figure 1E). She succumbed to uncal herniation after 48 hours.