Fatal coronary artery air embolism during CT guided percutaneous lung biopsy

Authors

  • Avinash Medsinge Interventional Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA
  • Catherine Westbom Diagnostic Radiology Resident, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA
  • Srinivas Iyer Interventional Radiology, University of Pittsburgh 1500 Fifth Avenue, UPMC McKeesport, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.5297

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of lung lesions is a well-established and commonly performed procedure to obtain tissue for histopathology and immuno analysis. The most common complication of the procedure is pneumothorax followed by hemorrhage. Severe complications such as systemic air embolism are rare but can result in significant morbidity and can be potentially fatal if embolization occurs to cerebral or coronary circulation (arteries). We present a case of fatal left coronary artery air embolism sustained during attempted CT guided transthoracic lung biopsy.

Axial CT image lung window show multiple left lower lobe lesions. The medial non-cavitating lesion was targeted for biopsy (arrow)

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Published

2024-05-31

Issue

Section

General Radiology