Tension pneumothorax and pulmonary embolism during neurosurgery: a case report

Abstract

A tension pneumothorax arising during surgery is a rare occurrence, however it is a medical emergency that requires immediate decompression. Early diagnosis of a pneumothorax in pa tients with hypoxemia during general anesthesia, especially when accompanied by a pulmonary embolism during surgery, is not straightforward as it differs from the clinical symptoms seen in patients who have spontaneous ventilation. However, if it develops into a tension pneumothorax, serious hemodynamic side effects may occur. Therefore, the anesthesiologist needs a sufficient understanding of differential diagnosis methods, such as lung sound auscultation and C-arm fluoroscopy. These can be easily utilized in the operating room, and rapid treatment can be performed through consultation with thoracic surgeons.