Fatal paradoxical pulmonary air embolism complicating percutaneous computed tomography-guided needle biopsy of the lung.
A 63-year-old man with left upper zone haziness on chest X-ray and an infiltrative lesion with a pleural mass in the left upper lobe on CT scan was scheduled for CT-guided percutaneous trans-thoracic needle biopsy. During the procedure, the patient had massive haemoptysis and cardiorespiratory arrest and could not be revived. Post-mortem CT showed air in the right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery and also in the left atrium and aorta. A discussion on paradoxical air embolism following percutaneous trans-thoracic needle biopsy is presented.
Chakravarti
Rajesh
R
Department of Radiology and Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. dr_rajesh321@hotmail.com
Singh
Virendra
V
Isaac
Rethish
R
John
M Joseph
MJ
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed