What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of cerebral air embolism in a man treated with pleural lavage for acute empyema.
What They Found
A man in his late 40s undergoing his 10th pleural lavage with 0.9% saline (1000 mL/day) for acute empyema suddenly became unconscious. Head imaging confirmed a cerebral air embolism, which resolved after urgent hyperbaric oxygen therapy without neurological sequelae.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings may not be generalizable to all patients undergoing pleural lavage.