Cerebral air embolism is a rare but fatal complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report a case of paradoxical cerebral air embolism associated with central venous catheterization. An 85-yr-old man underwent right internal jugular vein catheterization, and became obtunded. Brain MR imaging and CT revealed acute infarction with multiple air bubbles on the side of catheter insertion. The possibility of cerebral air embolism should be considered in patients developing neurological impairment after central venous catheterization, and efforts should be made to limit cerebral damage.
Aged, 80 and over ; Brain/pathology ; Catheterization, Central Venous/*adverse effects ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Embolism, Air/*etiology/ultrasonography ; Embolism, Paradoxical/*etiology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism/*etiology/ultrasonography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the mainstay of treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although various complications of TACE have been reported, cerebral lipiodol embolism after TACE is rare. We report a 67-year-old man, who had patent foramen ovale and developed cerebral lipiodol embolism after TACE via the inferior phrenic artery. At 20 months after third TACE of 3 cm sized HCC in the left hepatic lobe, computed tomography (CT) revealed about 1.6 cm newly developed HCC in the anterior superior segment of right hepatic lobe. The angiogram revealed the HCC was supplied from the right inferior phrenic artery. Toward the end of TACE, there were accumulations of the iodized oil in the pulmonary vasculature. Immediately after TACE, he complained of weakness in right upper and lower limbs and sensory decrease in right limbs and right hemitrunk. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cerebral lipiodol embolism. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed no visible thrombi but contrast-echocardiography using hand agitated saline revealed an intracardiac right to left shunt consistent with patent foramen ovale. Motor weakness and sensory decrease were gradually improved, and all neurological symptoms disappeared over 4 weeks.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications/diagnosis/*therapy ; *Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Contrast Media/*adverse effects/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism/*diagnosis/*etiology/ultrasonography ; Iodized Oil/*adverse effects/diagnostic use ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis/*therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

There has been a controversy over data of thrombolytic and endovascular surgical treatment about cerebral infarction secondary to infective endocarditis. We report a woman who received early mechanical embolectomy as a treatment of acute stroke with infective endocarditis. A 35-yr-old woman was hospitalized due to right hemiparesis. Brain image showed cerebral infarction at the middle cerebral artery and echocardiography demonstrated vegetation at the mitral valve. She was successfully treated with embolectomy and parenteral antibiotics without any neurologic sequelae. This report shows that the early retrieve of septic cerebral emboli can be a helpful treatment of acute stroke associated with endocarditis.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Cerebral Arteries/radiography/*surgery ; Embolectomy ; Endocarditis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism/surgery ; Mitral Valve/ultrasonography ; Streptococcus/isolation & purification ; Stroke/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed