Massive systemic air embolism treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy following CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of a pulmonary nodule

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006 Aug;17(8):1355-8. doi: 10.1097/01.RVI.0000231949.35479.89.

Abstract

A rare complication of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies of pulmonary lesions is systemic air embolism, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy being considered the mainstay of therapy. The authors describe the case of a 47-year-old man with a left upper lobe mass invading the chest wall who underwent CT-guided needle biopsy of a right lung base nodule to evaluate for metastatic disease. This procedure was complicated by massive systemic air embolism confirmed by CT scan. After initial resuscitative measures, the patient received on-site hyperbaric oxygen therapy and demonstrated no residual clinical sequelae from this complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Embolism, Air / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Treatment Outcome