Air Embolism Detected During Computed Tomography Fluoroscopically Guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

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.

Four Cases of a Cerebral Air Embolism Complicating a Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

“…HBOT reduces bubble size and consequently removes occlusive bubbles and reduces endothelial damage (4). A literature review has reinforced the notion that the early application of HBOT is beneficial for patients with a cerebral air embolism (7, 8). However, delayed HBOT is probably also effective to increase the likelihood of survival and neurological recovery as the presence of air bubbles have been demonstrated up to 48 hours after the initial event (9).…”

“…Accordingly, a high level of clinical suspicion is essential to ensure rapid diagnosis. Recently, Hirasawa et al (7) reported that CT-fluoroscopy can visualize air entry during the procedure, and the investigators have suggested the use of CT fluoroscopy as a possible means of early detection.…”

Air Embolism and Needle Track Implantation Complicating CT-Guided Percutaneous Thoracic Biopsy: Single-Institution Experience

“…We summarize both the previously reported 16 symptomatic cases with detailed clinical information of air embolism [2,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and our three cases in Table 3. Hemiplegia was noted on the right (n = 2) or left (n = 8) side in the 10 cases with neurologic symptoms.…”

“…The previously reported incidence of air embolism, with or without clinical symptoms, and needle track implantation was 0.01-0.4% [1-4] and 0.01-0.18% [3-6], respectively. Although there are more than 15 case reports [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] in the English-language literature, the authors of these reports did not usually present the incidence of these complications in each institution.Therefore we reviewed the cases of air embolism and needle track implantation in 1,400 percutaneous CT-guided thoracic biopsies that …”

Systemic air embolism as a complication of CT-guided percutaneous core needle lung biopsy: A case report and review of the literature

“…The characteristics of symptomatic air embolism, based on the present and previously reported cases, are summarized in the following section (3,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). In the majority of cases, the clinical symptoms of air embolism occur either during or immediately following needle biopsy.…”