Air embolism detected during computed tomography fluoroscopically guided transthoracic needle biopsy

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2008 Jan-Feb;31(1):219-21. doi: 10.1007/s00270-006-0260-z.

Abstract

Air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. We report a case of cerebral air embolism which occurred during computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy. Air entering the aorta is depicted on CT-fluoroscopy images of the procedure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortography
  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Embolism, Air / complications
  • Embolism, Air / etiology*
  • Embolism, Air / therapy
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Hemiplegia / etiology
  • Hemiplegia / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Intracranial Embolism / complications
  • Intracranial Embolism / etiology*
  • Intracranial Embolism / therapy
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*