Unexpected pulmonary edema following sitting position craniotomy: A venous air embolism complication

Abstract

We report a case of a 42‐year‐old female who had non‐cardiogenic pulmonary edema following a setting position craniotomy to remove a left cerebellar pontine angle mass. During the operation, the patient experienced a sudden drop in her end‐tidal CO2 levels, which needed an immediate intervention. After ruling out other potential causes, we determined that air venous embolism was the cause of this unexpected and serious complication. However, the condition was self‐limited and resolved with supportive treatment after approximately 1 week. This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing the unexpected complications of venous air embolism, as well as how prompt intervention and supportive treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.