Case report shows hyperbaric oxygen improves neurological outcomes in a male liver transplant recipient, suggesting effective intervention for air embolism.
Vascular air embolism represents an uncommon yet potentially fatal complication arising during or postsurgical/interventional procedures. This case details a 49-year-old male liver transplant recipient who acutely developed neurological deterioration, including coma and quadriplegia, immediately after self-cutting his central venous catheter in a standing posture. Documented cerebral air embolism diagnosis led to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) administration, resulting in restored consciousness and near-total motor function recovery after three days, confirmed by follow-up computed tomography revealing complete resolution of intracranial air. In conclusion, HBO proves efficacious for cerebral air embolism by diminishing intravascular gas volume and promoting neurological restoration.
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Bao et al. (2026) studied this question.
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