Hyperbaric oxygen therapy of air embolus in the cerebral venous sinuses after intracranial surgery: a case report.

Lundborg, Mina; Helseth, Eirik; Josefsen, Roger; Braathen, Martin; Skogen, Karoline; Ramm-Pettersen, Jon · Acta Neurochir (Wien) · 2018

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A case with cerebral venous air embolism (CVAE) after neurosurgery and treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is presented. This is a rare and potentially fatal complication that neurosurgeons should be aware of. A 52-year-old male was diagnosed with an intracerebral hematoma. An emergency evacuation of the hematoma was performed with a craniotomy and the postoperative CT scan showed a complete evacuation of the hematoma, but it also revealed a CVAE. The patient was immediately referred to HBOT and received three sessions within 48 h. The CT scan after the first HBOT showed no CVAE, venous thrombosis, or new hematoma.

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