What Researchers Did
This study describes the case of a 61-year-old woman who developed a serious complication after lung surgery and its treatment.
What They Found
A 61-year-old woman developed air embolism, with air density areas in her brain, immediately after her third pleurodesis procedure following lung cancer surgery. She lost consciousness but was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Canadian Relevance
Air embolism is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study describes the experience of only one patient, limiting its ability to be generalized to a larger population.