Cerebral air embolism caused by aspiration pneumonia: A case report

Abstract

Herein, we report a rare case of arterial cerebral air embolism (aCAE), that was probably caused by aspiration pneumonia. An 84-year-old-male presented with sudden loss of consciousness. Computed tomography (CT) of the head revealed air shadows along the sulcus of the right frontal and left posterior lobes. The abdominothoracic CT revealed aspiration pneumonia in the right upper lung with cavity formation. His clinical symptoms lessened after the administration of an antiepileptic. Because there was no prior history of any medical treatment, the patient was diagnosed with a noniatrogenic aCAE. Furthermore, in the absence of a right-to-left shunt, we determined that the air embolization was caused by the aspiration pneumonia. aCAE is a rare disease that can lead to miserable conditions. Most of causes aCAE are iatrogenic. However, a few cases of noniatrogenic aCAE have been reported. Some reports have suggested an associated between iatrogenic aCAE and raised intrathoracic pressure, which could lead to air entry into the pulmonary vein via the damaged alveolar wall. Even in noniatrogenic aCAEs, a sudden increase in intrathoracic pressure may cause airflow via the alveolar wall into the pulmonary veins, resulting in aCAE.