Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura with air cystic component.

We present an uncommon case of a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura with the appearance of an air-containing cystic mass. We discuss the differential diagnosis through the imaging findings, the hypothetical origins of the air component, and the possible relationship between the air component and the aggressivity of the tumor.

Embolia gaseosa cerebral secundaria a la retirada de una vía venosa central / Cerebral gas embolism secondary to withdrawal of a central venous line

Objetivo. Presentar un caso de embolia gaseosa cerebral secundaria a la retirada de una vía venosa central en un paciente recientemente operado de cirugía abdominal. Caso clínico. Varón de 82 años que presenta súbitamente mioclonías en la extremidad superior derecha y disminución brusca del nivel de consciencia. Se le realiza una tomografía computarizada (TC) que pone de manifiesto burbujas de aire en la circulación intracraneal e infarto hemisférico derecho asociado. El paciente evoluciona clínicamente mal y fallece días más tarde. Conclusiones. El diagnóstico de la embolia gaseosa cerebral se realiza mediante TC craneal si ésta se realiza inmediatamente después de la entrada de aire en la circulación intracerebral. En fases tardías, los hallazgos son inespecíficos y difíciles de distinguir de un infarto isquémico o de la leucoencefalopatía difusa. El tratamiento se basa en medidas de soporte y, en algunos casos, oxígeno hiperbárico, aunque su eficacia real se discute. La embolia gaseosa cerebral es una complicación potencialmente mortal y evitable en pacientes con una vía venosa central u otros procedimientos yatrogénicos que puedan introducir aire en la circulación arterial o venosa

Aim. To report a case of cerebral gas embolism secondary to the withdrawal of a central venous line in a patient who had recently undergone abdominal surgery. Case report. An 82-year-old male who suddenly presented myoclonias in the right upper extremity and a sharp drop in the level of consciousness. A computerised tomography (CT) scan revealed air bubbles in the intracranial circulatory system and associated infarction in the right hemisphere. The patient’s clinical progression was poor and he died some days later. Conclusions. Cerebral gas embolism can be diagnosed using a CT scan of the head if it is performed immediately after the entrance of air into the bloodstream inside the brain. In later phases, findings are unspecific and difficult to distinguish from ischaemic infarction or from diffuse leukoencephalopathy. Treatment is based on supportive measures and, in some cases, hyperbaric oxygen, although their true effectiveness is a controversial issue. Cerebral gas embolism is a potentially fatal and avoidable complication in patients with a central venous line or other iatrogenic procedures that can allow air to enter the arterial or venous circulatory systems

[Cerebral gas embolism secondary to withdrawal of a central venous line]. / Embolia gaseosa cerebral secundaria a la retirada de una vía venosa central.

AIM: To report a case of cerebral gas embolism secondary to the withdrawal of a central venous line in a patient who had recently undergone abdominal surgery. CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old male who suddenly presented myoclonias in the right upper extremity and a sharp drop in the level of consciousness. A computerised tomography (CT) scan revealed air bubbles in the intracranial circulatory system and associated infarction in the right hemisphere. The patient's clinical progression was poor and he died some days later. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral gas embolism can be diagnosed using a CT scan of the head if it is performed immediately after the entrance of air into the bloodstream inside the brain. In later phases, findings are unspecific and difficult to distinguish from ischaemic infarction or from diffuse leukoencephalopathy. Treatment is based on supportive measures and, in some cases, hyperbaric oxygen, although their true effectiveness is a controversial issue. Cerebral gas embolism is a potentially fatal and avoidable complication in patients with a central venous line or other iatrogenic procedures that can allow air to enter the arterial or venous circulatory systems.