Korean J Crit Care Med.  2009 Dec;24(3):160-163. 10.4266/kjccm.2009.24.3.160.

Unexpected Intra-operative Pulmonary Thromboemolism during Elective Mastoidectomy: A Case Report

• Kwak HJ
• Park HY
• Kim HS
• Choi SH
• Lee KC

• KMID: 2228323
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2009.24.3.160

Abstract

We report on a 45-year-old patient who sustained an intra-operative pulmonary thromboembolism during elective mastoidectomy under general anesthesia. At the end of surgery, the patient developed hemodynamic compromise and exhibited T wave inversion on electrocardiogram. Echocardiography showed an echogenic mass in the right pulmonary artery and pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary thromboembolism is rare in the field of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery; however, it may develop, resulting in a fatal outcome. It is thus important to establish the diagnosis early and prevent such serious complications.

Keyword

general anesthesia; mastoidectomy; pulmonary thromboembolism

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Echocardiography
Electrocardiography
Fatal Outcome
Head
Hemodynamics
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Middle Aged
Neck
Otolaryngology
Pulmonary Artery
Pulmonary Embolism