Air embolus complicating transthoracic percutaneous needle biopsy.
Transthoracic percutaneous needle biopsy has become popular for evaluation of pulmonary nodules. However, it is a procedure with morbidity and mortality that is not negligible. In this article, we report massive air embolus complicating needle biopsy in a patient with amyloidosis. A negative biopsy does not exclude malignancy, and if surgical excision will be performed regardless of the result, preoperative assessment using this technique may not be necessary.
Wong
R S
RS
Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
Ketai
L
L
Temes
R T
RT
Follis
F M
FM
Ashby
R
R
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged