Delayed Presentation of Air Embolism Within Cerebral Arteries Following Computed Tomography-Guided Lung Biopsy

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of the lung is a frequently performed interventional radiological procedure. Most complications are minor and self-resolving. However, a rare but potentially fatal complication is that of systemic air embolism, especially when to the cerebral or coronary arteries. This study reports a case of delayed (12 hours after initial biopsy) air embolism in the cerebral arteries that resulted from an otherwise uncomplicated biopsy of a lung nodule. It is vital for early diagnostic confirmation and appropriate treatment if possible, though maximal efforts at prevention are still recommended.

Air embolism as a rare complication of lung biopsy: A case report

“…Several cases described air embolism after lung biopsy [5 , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ]. However, most of these studies included solid lung lesions with no air component.…”