Arterial air embolism associated with pulmonary barotrauma has been considered a rare but a well-known complication of mechanical ventilation. A 65-year-old man, who had subarachnoid hemorrhage with Glasgow coma scale of 8, was admitted to intensive care unit and ventilated with the help of mechanical ventilator. Due to the excessive secretions, deep tracheal aspirations were made frequently. GCS decreased from 8&#x2013;10 to 4-5, and the patient was reevaluated with cranial CT scan. In CT scan, air embolism was detected in the cerebral arteries. The patient deteriorated and spontaneous respiratory activity lost just after the CT investigation. Thirty minutes later cardiac arrest appeared. Despite the resuscitation, the patient died. We suggest that pneumonia and frequent tracheal aspirations are predisposing factors for cerebral vascular air embolism.

S. Gursoy

C. Duger

K. Kaygusuz

I. Ozdemir Kol

B. Gurelik

C. Mimaroglu

Cerebral Arterial Air Embolism Associated with Mechanical Ventilation and Deep Tracheal Aspiration

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare pulmonary condition often presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax. Imaging or biopsy confirm the diagnosis. Published case reports describe the anesthetic management of patients with LAM undergoing brief procedures. No reports describe the anesthetic management for lengthy neurosurgical procedures. We describe anesthetic management for craniotomy in a patient with LAM. Clinical Features. A woman presented with 2 spontaneous left pneumothoraces. She received a diagnosis of LAM by imaging. She did well after pleurodesis. Hearing loss and tinnitus led to brain imaging demonstrating a large left cerebello-pontine angle mass. She presented for elective craniotomy to remove the mass while preserving cranial nerve function. Our technique for general endotracheal anesthesia aimed to reduce the likelihood of another pneumothorax while providing good surgical conditions and permitting neuromonitoring. Conclusion. We demonstrate the successful anesthetic management of a patient with LAM undergoing a lengthy suboccipital craniotomy for a posterior fossa mass.

Robert A. Peterfreund

Emily Luman

Robert L. Martuza

Anesthesia for Suboccipital Craniotomy in a Patient with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Case Report

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare life-threatening complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with high mortality rates. DAH is more common in women, and mean age of onset is around 30 years. It mostly occurs in patients with established diagnosis of SLE but can be the initial presentation of lupus in approximately 20%. DAH should be suspected in lupus patient presenting with new pulmonary infiltrates, decline in hemoglobin, hemoptysis, dyspnea, hypoxemia, and increase in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. Radiographic evidence of bilateral pulmonary alveolar infiltrates that are usually perihilar or basilar with sparing of apices is seen. DAH can often mimic clinically and radiologically severe pneumonia or ARDS. Treatment includes high-dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. We report a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage complicating SLE flare-up in a male patient.

Ravi Paul Singh Virdi

Adeel Bashir

Ghulamullah Shahzad

Javed Iqbal

Jose O. Mejia

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage: A Rare Life-Threatening Condition in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Here we report a 22-year old woman with massive and bilateral transudative effusion succeeded by pulmonary edema and brain edema and death. Investigations for systemic disorders were negative. Exacerbation of dyspnea after intravenous fluid infusion was a main problem. As effusion was refractory to medical treatment, the patient was referred for surgical pleurodesis and bilateral surgical pleurodesis were done separately. Postsurgically, dyspnea exacerbation occurred after each common cold infection. Vertigo and high intracranial pressure were also a problem postsurgically. CSF pressure was 225&#x2009;mm/H2O. Therapeutic lumbar puncture was done in two sequential weeks, and the patient was on acetazolamide 250&#x2009;mg/trivise a day. Despite the medical treatment, progressive dyspnea, headache, and high intracranial pressure followed by death nine months after pleurodesis. As there is a gradient of pressure between pleura and CSF, after pleurodesis brain edema must be a consequence of inversing this gradient. In conclusion, when there are any abnormalities about fluid volume or pressure in any of these cavities, we have to study other cavities.

Sayyed Gholam Reza Mortazavimoghaddam

H. R. Riasi

An Unusual Transudative Pleural Effusion Succeeded by Pulmonary and Brain Edema and Death

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Case Reports in Pulmonology publishes case reports and case series in all areas of pulmonology, prevention, diagnosis and management of pulmonary and associated disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.

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Case Reports in Pulmonology - Table of contents 2012

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Case Reports in Pulmonology publishes case reports and case series in all areas of pulmonology, prevention, diagnosis and management of pulmonary and associated disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.

Case Reports in Pulmonology