title: Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy.
abstract: A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. We report four cases of a cerebral air embolism that developed after a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Early diagnosis and the rapid application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the mainstay of therapy for an embolism. Prevention is the best course and it is essential that possible risk factors be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Soo Keol
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Doo Kyung
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Choonhee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Ki Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun Seong
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D015641:Radiography, Interventional