Abstract
We report a case of pulmonary air embolism which occured during cortisone treatment by local injection in unicameral bone cyst of the proximal femur under general anesthesia using mask. The air, in an amount of approximately 50ml, was injected in an attempt to clarify the location of the bone cyst under an image intensifier without any warning to the anesthesiologist. Immediately after the air injection, the patient had a severe cough followed by bradycardia, which were effectively treated with hyperventilation with oxygen and intravenous administration of atropine. Arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulseoxymeter decreased only slightly for a few minutes. The remaining anesthetic and postoperative courses were uneventiful, and the patient showed no neurologic deficit or pulmonary complications. Although serious complications were not encounterd, this report emphasize again the hazard of air injection into bone marrow.
