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. 2010 May 28;2(5):193-6.
doi: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i5.193.

Systemic air embolism after transthoracic lung biopsy: A case report and review of literature

Wessam Bou-Assaly  1 , Perry Pernicano, Ellen Hoeffner
Affiliations

Systemic air embolism after transthoracic lung biopsy: A case report and review of literature

Wessam Bou-Assaly et al. World J Radiol. .

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy is a common diagnostic procedure that is associated with various complications, including pneumothorax, hemoptysis and parenchymal hemorrhage. Systemic air embolism is a very rare (0.07%) but potentially life-threatening complication. We report a fatal case of air embolism to the cerebral and coronary arteries confirmed by head and chest CT, followed by a review of the literature.

Keywords: Air embolus; Complications; Lung mass; Needle biopsy; Stroke; Systemic air embolism; Transthoracic lung biopsy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrates the left upper lobe mass during the biopsy. The mass abuts the chest wall with mild adjacent emphysematous changes without large bullae.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial images in soft tissue and lung window through the lower mediastinum, display a small amount of air in the epicardium (arrows), thought to be along the peripheral coronary vessels.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Head CT in brain and soft tissue windows demonstrates abnormal air along the left vertex subarachnoid spaces and cortical vessels (arrows), suggesting air embolus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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