Abstract
Background
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a rare cause of cerebral air embolism (CAE). To
our knowledge, there are only eight previously reported such cases in the history
of the procedure.
Objective
To identify clinical causes of CAE that can present to the emergency department (ED)
and to understand the appropriate management of CAE.
Case Report
A 71-year-old man presented with new-onset left-sided hemiparesis and dysarthria 2 h after undergoing an outpatient EGD. The patient was diagnosed with CAE in the ED
after undergoing a computed tomography scan of the brain without contrast.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of CAE is based on a thorough history and obtaining urgent radiographic
imaging of the brain. The definitive treatment of CAE involves hyperbaric oxygen.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 18, 2011
Accepted:
November 1,
2010
Received in revised form:
May 21,
2010
Received:
January 22,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
