Spontaneous Cerebral Air Embolism-An Unusual Scenario

Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):772-774. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.383877.

Abstract

The introduction of air into cerebral venous or arterial circulation known as cerebral air embolism (CAE) is a rare clinical entity. CAE is commonly iatrogenic secondary to central venous catheter (CVC) placement or removal, various endoscopic procedures, or trauma or surgical scenarios. Here we report a case of spontaneous CAE in an unusual scenario. A 71-year-old male presented to emergency after developing giddiness following a yoga session. His MRI showed air embolism in the posterior fossa along cerebellar folia, prepontine, and suprasellar cisterns and tracking superiorly along the tentorium cerebelli. CAE is a rare clinical entity. Our case had CAE as a complication of cholesteatoma and possibly got triggered due to change in air pressor dynamics during yoga session.

Keywords: Cerebral air embolism; post-yoga giddiness; yoga.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Embolism, Air* / diagnostic imaging
  • Embolism, Air* / etiology
  • Endoscopy / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male