Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, including details on sids, causes, prevention, statistics.

Gas embolism following intraosseous medication application proven by post-mortem multislice computed tomography and autopsy.

Hillewig E, Aghayev E, Jackowski C, Christe A, Plattner T, Thali MJ

Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.

The post-mortem use of modern imaging techniques such as multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is becoming increasingly important as an aid for conventional autopsy. This article presents a case of a 4-month-old boy who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with intravascular gas after an intraosseus medication application documented by post-mortem MSCT. It is most likely that the gas entered the body during resuscitation. This case emphasises the advantage of post-mortem imaging as a complementary aid for the autopsy. We conclude that during emergency treatment, the medical staff should be aware of the possibility of causing a gas embolism following intraosseus medication. Resuscitation with an inserted, disconnected intraosseous needle should be avoided.

Published 18 December 2006 in Resuscitation, 72(1): 149-53.
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