Article ID: 10985
We report a case of cerebral air embolism that was indistinguishable from blood clot large vessel occlusion. A 80-year-old man suffered from loss of consciousness, hemiplegia, and conjugate deviation after pleural biopsy, and was transferred to our hospital on suspicion of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). AIS due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) was indicated by the symptoms, so mechanical thrombectomy was performed. However, no LVO was identified. CT of the head revealed air bubbles in the skull, so cerebral air embolism was diagnosed. His symptoms improved spontaneously, and he was transferred to the previous facility on the 9th day. Cerebral air embolism often occurs as an iatrogenic complication and may manifest as various symptoms depending on the embolic location of the air bubbles. The symptoms cannot be distinguished from LVO of blot clot. Cerebral air embolism AIS should also be included in the differential diagnosis if LVO symptoms are suspected after pleural biopsy.
