Air embolism and pulmonary interstitial emphysema in a preterm infant with hyaline membrane disease.

A preterm infant with severe hyaline membrane disease requiring extreme mechanical ventilation developed pulmonary air leaks with consecutive shock. The chest roentgenogram showed bilateral pulmonary interstitial emphysema and gas within the heart silhouette as well as in the hepatic veins, inferior v. cava, portal vein, and many abdominal vessels. The respiratory and circulatory failure by massive systemic gas embolism resulted in death.