Systemic air embolism in a patient with ingestion of a foreign body.

Air embolism is defined as the entry of gas into a vascular structure. Frequently it is iatrogenic and can result in serious morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with mediastinitis as a result of ingestion of a fishbone. Mediastinal debridement was performed which was complicated in the postoperative period by a systemic air embolism, as documented by computed tomography and clinical features.