Hydrophilic polymer embolism (HPE) is a rare, likely under-recognized
iatrogenic complication, caused by fragmentation of surface materials
used on endovascular medical devices. The organs most often involved in
HPE are the brain and lungs, resulting in both local and systemic
reactions. We present the case of a cerebral HPE associated with WEB
treatment of a ruptured aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery, and
involving diffusely the left cerebral hemisphere. The patient developed
pneumonia and status epilepticus, and died 24 days after the
endovascular procedure, most likely as a result of the sequelae of the
aneurysm rupture. The precise role of HPE in the sequence of events
leading to death can remain, as in this case, a matter for speculation.
However, the potential role of HPE in the events leading to death
following diagnostic and therapeutic procedures should be appropriately
assessed, especially when recovery does not progress as expected.