• Georg Reith, Bertil Bouillon, Samir G Sakka, Jerome M Defosse, Axel Gossmann, and Christian Probst.
• Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery,Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (CMMC),Witten/Herdecke University,Witten,Germany.
• Can J Emerg Med. 2016 Jan 1; 18 (1): 62-5.

AbstractCerebral air embolism (CAE) is a common, often lethal, complication in blunt and penetrating chest trauma. The factors affecting the outcome of CAE patients are poorly understood, and there is no generally accepted treatment algorithm. In this report, we present the case of a 28-year-old male motorcyclist with a massive CAE, including bilateral internal carotid artery air on computed tomographic examination following blunt chest trauma. With prehospital intubation, oxygen, transfusion, and open laparotomy but without any specific treatment regarding the CAE, a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan approximately 6 hours later showed resolution of the cerebrovascular air. Recovery was unremarkable, and the patient was discharged neurologically intact after 22 days.

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