http://www.appliedradiology.com RSS Feed on Applied Radiologyhttp://www.appliedradiology.com//Issues/2012/04/Cases/Iatrogenic-air-embolism-following-CT-guided-lung-biopsy.aspx<p>A 65-year-old, male ex-smoker presented with a 3-week history of persistent nonproductive cough without any other significant complaint. The patient’s physical examination, respiratory function, and routine blood tests were normal. A plain chest radiograph revealed a 2.5-cm mass in the left lower zone. That finding was confirmed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. Because the mass was in the periphery, transcutaneous CT-guided biopsy was chosen to investigate the mass. Two sample biopsies were taken from the lesion using a 20G, 10-cm long biopsy needle. As soon as a post-biopsy CT scan was completed, the patient started coughing, and developed severe chest pain associated with hemoptysis, dyspnea, and perspiration. His blood pressure dropped to 100/60 mmHg. An electrocardiogram (EKG) showed ischemic changes and new atrial fibrillation. The patient was resuscitated by emergency physicians and admitted to the intensive care unit until being stabilized.</p> <p> <br /></p> <p> </p>Friday, 30 Mar 2012 14:48:22 GMT