Acute pulmonary embolism following adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction surgery: Case report and review of literature

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 1759 - 1767
• Main Authors: Meng, Xiang Long, Zhao, Hui, Su, Qing Jun, Hai, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2013; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - pathology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Diseases of the spine; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Necrosis; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pneumology; Postoperative Complications - pathology; Pulmonary Embolism - pathology; Pulmonary hypertension. Acute cor pulmonale. Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary vascular diseases; Radiography; Scoliosis - pathology; Scoliosis - surgery; postoperative complications; case report; pulmonary embolism; Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; scoliosis surgery; Human; Postoperative; Deformation; Respiratory disease; Spine; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Cardiovascular disease; Spine disease; Vascular disease; Pulmonary embolism; Case study; Scoliosis; Surgery; Adolescent; Complication; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060513501752

Pulmonary embolism is a significant complication of surgery. This report presents a case of suspected fatal postoperative acute pulmonary embolism following posterior correction surgery in a 16-year-old female with idiopathic scoliosis. The patient presented with a suspected pulmonary embolism 2 h postoperatively. She lost consciousness quickly, and cardiac respiratory arrest occurred. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started immediately. The patient was stabilized but underwent a further suspected pulmonary embolism the following day. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed again, but she lost consciousness and respirator support was required. At 40 days after surgery, a computed tomography scan revealed an area of necrotic brain tissue near the lateral cerebral ventricle. The patient remained in a comatose state for 16 months, after which active management was withdrawn. This case reminds us to be alert to potentially fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism in young patients without any risk factors for thrombosis.