Simultaneous coronary and cerebral air embolism after CT-guided core needle biopsy of the lung.
An air embolism in the arterial system is a rare but serious sequela of lung biopsy. We describe the case of a patient who presented with acute cardiac and cerebral air embolism, including simultaneous acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, unresponsiveness, seizure, and stroke. Computed tomographic imaging revealed air pockets in the right coronary artery and aorta. The patient made a full recovery after aggressive medical treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Hsi
David H
DH
Department of Cardiology, Geneva General Hospital, Geneva, New York 14456, USA. dhsi@unityhealth.org
Thompson
Thomas N
TN
Fruchter
Alexander
A
Collins
Michael S
MS
Lieberg
Olaf U
OU
Boepple
Hartwig
H
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D018549:Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*