Cerebral and Coronary Air Embolism after Percutaneous Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Lung.
- Author:
Myung Chul SHIN
1
;
Taek Geun OHK
;
Jun Hwi CHO
;
Joong Beom MOON
;
Chan Woo PARK
;
Ka Eul KIM
;
Go Eun YANG
;
Hui Young LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea. otgotg11@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Embolism;
Air;
Intracranial embolism;
Biopsy;
Needle
- MeSH:
Aged;
Biopsy;
Biopsy, Needle*;
Brain;
Cerebral Infarction;
Consciousness;
Coronary Vessels;
Diagnosis;
Electrocardiography;
Embolism;
Embolism, Air*;
Fatal Outcome;
Female;
Humans;
Intracranial Embolism;
Lung*;
Myocardial Infarction;
Needles*;
Oxygen
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2017;28(4):395-398
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy is a relatively simple and safe procedure for the diagnosis of lung and mediastinal lesions. Systemic air embolism during and after percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of the lung is very rare; however, it is still a complication that can cause fatal outcomes, such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction. Here, we report a 72-year-old woman who suffered a change in consciousness immediately after receiving a percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy for the pathologic examination of pulmonary nodules found during a routine health medical examination. She had left side weakness and ST segment elevation on an electrocardiogram. After a high concentration of oxygen, she recovered from neurological symptoms and electrocardiographic abnormalities. The authors report a case of air embolism occurring simultaneously in the brain and coronary arteries after percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy.