Normal diffusion-weighted imaging in cerebral air embolism complicating angiography

We report a case of cerebral air embolism resulting from accidental air inf ection during cerebral angiography. A 60-year-old man was accidentally inje cted with air via the left subclavian artery. Angiography demonstrated air within the basilar artery. The patient showed signs of posterior circulatio n ischaemia (confusion, blindness, gaze palsy and hemiparesis). However, MR I, including diffusion-weighted imaging, showed no abnormality 4 h later. T he patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen within 5 h of the embolism. A ll symptoms and signs resolved completely within a week.