TITLE:
Right Hemisphere Cerebral Infarction Due to Air Embolism from Percutaneous Lung Biopsy: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Chaitanya Ahuja, Yama Kharoti, Jeffery J. Critchfield, Meghna Chadha
KEYWORDS:
Air Embolism; Lung Biopsy; Cerebral Infarction; Computed Tomography (CT) Guidance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Radiology,
Vol.3 No.3,
September
6,
2013
ABSTRACT: Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in interventional radiology. Systemic arterial air embolism causing cerebral infarction is a rare but much feared complication of percutaneous lung biopsy. We present a comprehensive review of iatrogenic air embolism post-lung biopsy, a complication that is often sub optimally managed. Patho-physiology, clinical features, and risk factors and management are reviewed.