Cerebral air embolism: A hidden cause of acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

A 46‐year‐old man presented to the Emergency Department because of food bolus impaction after an emergent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Three hours after the procedure, awakening from general anesthesia, he complained drowsiness and left‐sided weakness. Brain CT scan was unremarkable, while CT angiography performed later revealed signs of pneumomediastinum likely from an esophageal laceration. Thorough cardiological, hematological, and rheumatological investigations during hospital stay proved unremarkable. Cerebral air embolism (CAE) has been reported as a potential complication of endoscopic procedures, but the precise mechanism is still unknown.