Cerebral Air Embolism Causing Cerebrovascular Accident after CT-Guided Needle Lung Biopsy.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

A CT-guided lung biopsy is a procedure to obtain tissue samples for lesion characterization and staging, but a rare and dangerous complication is a cerebral and systemic air embolism, which can cause ischemic organ damage.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 62-year-old male with adenocarcinoma of the right lung who underwent a CT-guided lung biopsy to assess for small cell transformation. During the final biopsy attempt, a suctioning sound was heard from the needle tip, and the patient immediately became unresponsive, experiencing hypotension, tachycardia, and hypopnea. Non-contrast CT showed intracranial and subcutaneous air emboli. The patient was intubated and transferred to the ICU, where he received hyperoxygenation therapy.

Conclusion

This case

SUBMITTER: Wilkinson LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659598 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature