Massive systemic air embolism treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy following CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of a pulmonary nodule.
A rare complication of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies of pulmonary lesions is systemic air embolism, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy being considered the mainstay of therapy. The authors describe the case of a 47-year-old man with a left upper lobe mass invading the chest wall who underwent CT-guided needle biopsy of a right lung base nodule to evaluate for metastatic disease. This procedure was complicated by massive systemic air embolism confirmed by CT scan. After initial resuscitative measures, the patient received on-site hyperbaric oxygen therapy and demonstrated no residual clinical sequelae from this complication.
Lattin
Grant
G
Department of Radiology, David Grant USAF Medical Center, 101 Bodin Circle, Travis AFB, CA 94535-1800, USA. grant.lattin@travis.af.mil
O'Brien
William
W
McCrary
Brian
B
Kearney
Patrick
P
Gover
David
D
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome