Cerebral arterial air embolism due to an esophago-atrial fistula seen on CT

Neuroradiology. 1979 Aug 15;18(2):103-6. doi: 10.1007/BF00344831.

Abstract

A case of cerebral air embolism from a rather unusual cause is reported; an esophago-cardiac fistula permitted food particles and air to enter the systemic arterial circulation. Massive embolization caused the patient to become deeply comatose rather suddenly. The computed tomogram (CT) revealed massive cerebral edema with the contradictory finding of wide superficial subarachnoid spaces. These subarachnoid spaces on further evaluation proved to be air in the cerebral vessels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cerebral Arterial Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Arterial Diseases / etiology
  • Cerebral Arterial Diseases / pathology
  • Embolism, Air / diagnostic imaging*
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Embolism, Air / pathology
  • Esophageal Fistula / complications*
  • Esophageal Fistula / pathology
  • Fistula / complications*
  • Fistula / pathology
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*