Air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a pediatric patient.

Abstract

This is a case of a venous air embolism in a pediatric patient with splenomesenteric portal shunt for portal cavernoma, who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under inhalator general anesthesia, without using N2O. There is ample data in the literature about the occurrence of venous air embolism during an endoscopic procedure. We believe it is important to call attention to this rare, but possible, and sometimes fatal, complication.