title: Bilateral pneumothorax after percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Evidence for incomplete pleural fusion.
abstract: Although the pleural cavities are anatomically separate in humans, we describe bilateral pneumothoraces that occurred after percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. In some individuals, there may be communication between the pleural spaces; it is important for those performing interventional procedures to be aware of this uncommon anatomic variant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gruden
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed