Tumor Seeding after Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy of Metastatic Pulmonary Ameloblastoma

Abstract

Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) is a minimally-invasive procedure that is an indispensable tool for evaluating pulmonary lesions. Though extremely rare, tumor seeding of the pleura and chest wall can occur as a complication. Given that the breast is located anterior to the thorax, needle tracking through the breast is inevitable when PTNB is performed using the anterior approach. We describe tumor seeding of metastatic pulmonary ameloblastoma in the pectoralis muscle layer of the breast along the needle track of PTNB in a 51-year-old female presenting with a palpable lump in the right breast.

Cerebral Air Embolism: A Case of a Rare Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Complication

“…Percutaneous TNB is a frequent procedure that is considered a standard first method for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. With an estimated occurrence < 0.3%, air embolism is an extremely rare but potentially fatal complication of TNB [ 2 , 6 , 11 ]. Two mechanisms may be involved in the creation of an air embolus capable of traveling via the left heart into the systemic arterial circulation.…”

“…Commonly affected sites are the pleura or chest wall but systemic metastization may occur if a vessel is punctured along the pathway. No specific risk factors have been identified for this complication [11]. Careful pre-…”

“…Commonly affected sites are the pleura or chest wall but systemic metastization may occur if a vessel is punctured along the pathway. No specific risk factors have been identified for this complication [ 11 ]. Careful pre-biopsy planning and appropriate postprocedural care are fundamental to preventing or minimizing most of the potential complications.…”