Computed tomography of fatal cerebral air embolism following percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the lung.
Air embolism complicated a thin needle aspiration performed on a patient with adult respiratory distress syndrome and on positive-pressure ventilation. Computed tomography obtained 30 h following the event demonstrated a considerable quantity of intravascular air within the cranium. Positive-pressure ventilation should be considered a relative contraindication for thin needle lung aspiration.
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed