Biomaterial Database

Fatal central venous air embolism: a rare complication of esophageal dilation by rendezvous. 2011

Philip B Zald, and Peter E Andersen

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.

BACKGROUND Esophageal dilation by rendezvous is a useful technique for the treatment of complicated esophageal strictures. RESULTS We present a case of a 74-year-old man with chronic dysphagia caused by a complete cervical esophageal stricture that developed after external beam radiotherapy for treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma. During attempted dilation using the rendezvous technique, the patient suffered a fatal pulmonary air embolism. The technique of esophageal dilation by rendezvous, complications, and risk factors for development of venous air embolism are discussed. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of fatal venous air embolism after dilation by rendezvous.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011655	Pulmonary Embolism	Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS.	Pulmonary Thromboembolism,Thromboembolism, Pulmonary,Embolism, Pulmonary,Embolisms, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Embolisms,Pulmonary Thromboembolisms,Thromboembolisms, Pulmonary
D011856	Radiographic Image Enhancement	Improvement in the quality of an x-ray image by use of an intensifying screen, tube, or filter and by optimum exposure techniques. Digital processing methods are often employed.	Digital Radiography,Image Enhancement, Radiographic,Radiography, Digital,Enhancement, Radiographic Image,Enhancements, Radiographic Image,Image Enhancements, Radiographic,Radiographic Image Enhancements
D002404	Catheterization	Use or insertion of a tubular device into a duct, blood vessel, hollow organ, or body cavity for injecting or withdrawing fluids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It differs from INTUBATION in that the tube here is used to restore or maintain patency in obstructions.	Cannulation,Cannulations,Catheterizations
D002405	Catheterization, Central Venous	Placement of an intravenous CATHETER in the subclavian, jugular, or other central vein.	Central Venous Catheterization,Venous Catheterization, Central,Catheterization, Central,Central Catheterization,Catheterizations, Central,Catheterizations, Central Venous,Central Catheterizations,Central Venous Catheterizations,Venous Catheterizations, Central
D003287	Contrast Media	Substances used to allow enhanced visualization of tissues.	Radiopaque Media,Contrast Agent,Contrast Agents,Contrast Material,Contrast Materials,Radiocontrast Agent,Radiocontrast Agents,Radiocontrast Media,Agent, Contrast,Agent, Radiocontrast,Agents, Contrast,Agents, Radiocontrast,Material, Contrast,Materials, Contrast,Media, Contrast,Media, Radiocontrast,Media, Radiopaque
D004618	Embolism, Air	Blocking of a blood vessel by air bubbles that enter the circulatory system, usually after TRAUMA; surgical procedures, or changes in atmospheric pressure.	Air Embolism,Embolism, Gas,Air Embolisms,Embolisms, Air,Embolisms, Gas,Gas Embolism,Gas Embolisms
D004940	Esophageal Stenosis	A stricture of the ESOPHAGUS. Most are acquired but can be congenital.	Esophageal Stricture,Stenosis, Esophageal,Esophageal Stenoses,Stricture, Esophageal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly