ACUTE HEMIPLEGIA CAUSED BY A RETROGRADE CEREBRAL VENOUS AIR EMBOLISM AFTER CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER REMOVAL: AN ILLUSTRATIVE CASE.

Abstract

Central venous catheters are widely used in clinical practice. Air embolism is a rare, but potentially life threatening complication of central venous catheterisation. We describe a case of collapse and transient hemiplegia after removal of central venous catheter. This was accidentally performed with the patient in upright position. ACT scan of the brain demonstrated air in the sinus cavernosus bilaterally and at the posterior wall of the foramen magnum.

Keywords:

• cerebral
• venous air embolism
• central venous catheterization
• air
• sinus cavernosus