Li JH, Luo ZK, Zhang Y, Lu TT, Deng Y, Shu RT, Yu H. Systemic air embolism associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: A case report. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2024; 16(11): 617-622 [DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v16.i11.617]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Hang Yu, PhD, Chief Doctor, Department of Cardiology Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, No. 48 Pak Shui Tong Road, Longhua District, Haikou 570311, Hainan Province, China. 309019591@qq.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jing-Hao Li, Ting-Ting Lu, Yue Deng, Rui-Ting Shu, Hang Yu, Department of Cardiology Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570311, Hainan Province, China
Zhi-Kun Luo, Yu Zhang, Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570311, Hainan Province, China
Author contributions: Li JH led the conceptualization and drafting of the manuscript; Luo ZK conducted the formal analysis and assisted with revisions; Zhang Y and Shu RT contributed to the investigation; Lu TT provided supervision and manuscript review; Deng Y assisted with visualization; Yu H, the corresponding author, provided overall supervision and critical manuscript revisions.
Informed consent statement: All study participants or their legal guardian provided informed written consent about personal and medical data collection prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hang Yu, PhD, Chief Doctor, Department of Cardiology Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, No. 48 Pak Shui Tong Road, Longhua District, Haikou 570311, Hainan Province, China. 309019591@qq.com
Received: June 2, 2024 Revised: August 29, 2024 Accepted: October 16, 2024 Published online: November 16, 2024 Processing time: 149 Days and 19 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a key procedure for diagnosing and treating biliary and pancreatic disorders. Although effective, it carries risks, including rare but severe complications such as air embolism.
CASE SUMMARY
We report a case of a 58-year-old man who developed extensive air embolism during ERCP. He previously underwent a Whipple procedure and experienced a sudden drop in vital signs and loss of consciousness. Immediate intervention with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and supportive care led to gradual recovery. Imaging confirmed widespread air embolism, which resolved with continued treatment.
CONCLUSION
Air embolism is a rare, critical complication of ERCP, especially in patients with prior surgery such as pancreaticoduodenectomy. Early detection and prompt treatment, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Core Tip: This case report presents a rare but severe complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, where a patient with a history of pancreaticoduodenectomy developed extensive systemic air embolism. Rapid diagnosis and timely administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy were critical in achieving a positive clinical outcome. This report underscores the importance of early recognition and intervention to prevent life-threatening consequences in similar cases.
