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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy
Soo Jung Um1, Soo Keol Lee, Doo Kyung Yang
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Abstract:
A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. We report four cases of a cerebral air embolism that developed after a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Early diagnosis and the rapid application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the mainstay of therapy for an embolism. Prevention is the best course and it is essential that possible risk factors be avoided.
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