Cerebral gas embolism resulting from inhalation of pressurized helium

Ann Emerg Med. 1996 Sep;28(3):363-6. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(96)70039-2.

Abstract

Loss of consciousness, a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, rightside weakness, and pneumomediastinum developed suddenly in a 13-year-old boy who had inhaled helium directly from a pressurized helium tank. His condition improved dramatically with hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and he had apparently regained complete neurologic function by the time of follow-up 2 weeks later. On the basis of the boy's clinical presentation and his response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we diagnosed a cerebral gas embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Accidents
  • Adolescent
  • Embolism, Air / etiology*
  • Embolism, Air / therapy
  • Helium*
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Inhalation
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / etiology*
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / therapy
  • Pressure
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Helium