Cerebral air embolism associated with penetrating lung injury: a case report and review of the literature

Case A 44-year-old man intentionally stabbed himself in the anterior neck and left thorax with a fruit knife. Physical examination revealed two open wounds entering the thoracic cavity in the front chest, and a stab wound entering the trachea at the neck. Two chest tubes were initially inserted for the left lung injury with open hemopneumothorax. Nevertheless, the worsening oxygenation required positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with endotracheal intubation. Outcome Right hemiparesis was found during weaning from PPV. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple infarctions in the area of the bifrontal and right temporal lobes. Cerebral air embolism (CAE) was strongly suspected from the imaging findings and clinical course. Conclusion We concluded that mechanical ventilation was strongly involved in the occurrence of CAE. If delayed abnormal neurological findings are observed in patients with penetrating lung injuries receiving PPV management, CAE should be considered.