Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Air Embolism Detected During Computed Tomography Fluoroscopically Guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

  • CASE REPORT
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. We report a case of cerebral air embolism which occurred during computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy. Air entering the aorta is depicted on CT-fluoroscopy images of the procedure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sinner WN (1976) Complications of percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh) 17:813–828

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wescott JL (1973) Air embolism complicating percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. Chest 63:108–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Laurent F, Latrabe V, Vergier B, et al. (2000) Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy of the lung: Comparison between aspiration and automated cutting needles using a coaxial technique. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 23:266–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Arakawa H, Nakajima Y, Kurihara Y, et al. (1996) CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: A comparison between automated biopsy gun and fine needle aspiration. Clinical Radiology 51:503–506

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Aberle DR, Gamsu G, Golden JA (1987) Fatal systemic arterial air embolism following lung needle aspiration. Radiology 165:351–353

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cianci P, Posin JP, Shimshak RR, et al. (1987) Air embolism complicating percutaneous thin needle biopsy of lung. Chest 92:749–751

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tolly TL, Feldmeier JE, Czarnecki D (1988) Air embolism complicating percutaneous lung biopsy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 150:555–556

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kodama F, Ogawa T, Hashimoto M, et al. (1999) Fatal air embolism as a complication of CT-guided needle biopsy of the lung. J Comput Assist Tomogr 23:949–951

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Arnold BW, Zwiebel WJ (2002) Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy complicated by air embolism. AJR Am J Roentgenol 178:1400–1402

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mokhlesi B, Ansaarie I, Bader M, et al. (2002) Coronary artery air embolism complicating a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Chest 121:993–996

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Ashizawa K, Watanabe H, Morooka H, et al. (2004) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for air embolism complicating CT-guided needle biopsy of the lung. AJR Am J Roentgenol 182:1606–1607

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Muth CM, Shank ES (2000) Gas embolism. N Engl J Med 342:476–482

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Gunma Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan

    Satoshi Hirasawa, Hiromi Hirasawa, Ayako Taketomi-Takahashi, Hideo Morita, Yoshito Tsushima, Makoto Amanuma & Keigo Endo

Authors
  1. Satoshi Hirasawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hiromi Hirasawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ayako Taketomi-Takahashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hideo Morita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yoshito Tsushima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Makoto Amanuma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Keigo Endo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Satoshi Hirasawa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hirasawa, S., Hirasawa, H., Taketomi-Takahashi, A. et al. Air Embolism Detected During Computed Tomography Fluoroscopically Guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 31, 219–221 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-006-0260-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-006-0260-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation