Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy.
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.
Um
Soo Jung
SJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Lee
Soo Keol
SK
Yang
Doo Kyung
DK
Son
Choonhee
C
Kim
Ki Nam
KN
Lee
Ki Nam
KN
Kim
Yun Seong
YS
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