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Lee, Kang, Kim, Kwon, Lee, Lee, Oh, Lee, and Moon: Air in the Left Brachiocephalic Vein Accompanied with Pulmonary Edema
Case Report
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2008; 65(1): 57-60.

Published online: 31 July 2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.65.1.57

Air in the Left Brachiocephalic Vein Accompanied with Pulmonary Edema

Sung Won Lee, M.D., Hyeon Hui Kang, M.D., Min Hee Kim, M.D., Hyuk Min Kwon, M.D., Ji Myoung Lee, M.D., Jong Yul Lee, M.D., Su Jin Oh, M.D., Sang Haak Lee, M.D., Hwa Sik Moon, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Sang Haak Lee, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 620-56, Jeonnong 2-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-709, Korea. Phone: 82-2-958-2445, Fax: 82-2-968-7250, mdlee@catholic.ac.kr

Received 19 June 2008       Accepted 4 July 2008

Copyright © 2008 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

A fifty-seven year old female patient visited the emergency department with tachypnea and a decreased mental status. The patient had been receiving fluid therapy at home and a bolus of air was injected into the fluid bottle in order to increase the infusion speed. Chest computed tomography revealed air in the left brachiocephalic vein that was accompanied with pulmonary edema the diagnosis of venous air embolism was made. Venous air embolism can result from various procedures that are performed in almost all clinical specialties and they can be fatal in cases of massive air embolism. Therefore, it is important for all clinicians to be aware of this problem.

Keywords: Air embolism, Pulmonary embolism, Home infusion therapy, Computed tomography, Pulmonary edema

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Simple chest radiograph shows increased vascular markings and ground glass opacities in both lower lung fields.
trd-65-57-g001
Figure 2
Contrast enhanced chest computed tomography scans show air (arrow) in the left brachiocephalic vein (A). Also, thickenings of interlobular septa, fissure, and bronchovascular bundles are seen in both lung fields with ground glass opacities, suggesting pulmonary edema (B).
trd-65-57-g002

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