Pediatric radiology
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Pediatric radiology · Nov 1995
Case Reports Meta AnalysisLymphatic air embolism: a new hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of neonatal systemic air embolism.
Objective. Neonatal systemic air embolism (NSAE) has been thought to result from introduction of air into the pulmonary veins through hypothesized alveolar-capillary fistula. The objective of this paper is to reassess the distribution of intravascular air visualized radiographically in this entity. ⋯ PIE was found to be a very common associated finding in NSAE. Based on our current knowledge of pulmonary lymphatics, radiographic anatomy, and the lymphatic location of PIE, we propose that air within the pulmonary lymphatic system (PIE) gains access to the systemic venous system via lymphatic ducts, which results in the clinical entity NSAE. This readily explains the venous predominance of air in NSAE.