Systemic Air Embolism Leading to Cardiorespiratory Arrest Following a CT-Guided Biopsy: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 72-year-old man experienced a life-threatening air embolism after a lung biopsy, but was successfully treated and recovered.

Contribution

This case report highlights a rare but severe complication of CT-guided lung biopsy and its successful management.

Findings

A patient suffered cardiorespiratory arrest due to air embolism after a CT-guided biopsy.

The patient was successfully resuscitated and recovered sufficiently to be discharged.

Air embolism is a rare but life-threatening complication of CT-guided procedures.

Abstract

CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a commonly performed procedure for diagnosing pulmonary lesions. While generally safe, it has known risks. Pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, and hemoptysis are among the most frequent complications. Although rare, serious complications such as air embolism can occur, and while uncommon, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that may result from this procedure. It can lead to acute ischemic stroke or acute myocardial infarction, which can be fatal. Here, we describe a case of a 72-year-old man with a right lower lobe pulmonary nodule who had a cardiorespiratory arrest due to air embolism due to a CT-guided biopsy of the pulmonary nodule found on a previous CT scan of the chest. The patient was successfully resuscitated and intubated for mechanical ventilation and admitted to an intensive care unit. He was later transferred to the pulmonology unit and discharged home in stable condition.

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