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Updated: May 24, 2026

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Air embolism complicating computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy of the lung
Yueh-Feng Wu1, Tsai-Wang Huang, Chung-Cheng Kao
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a common clinical procedure for the diagnosis of a broad range of pulmonary pathological conditions. Mild self-limiting pneumothorax and haemoptysis are common complications of this procedure. Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening but extremely rare complication. We report a case of an air embolism in the left ventricle of the heart that developed after a computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. The patient did not exhibit cardiac or cerebral symptoms after conservative treatment. The patient underwent a successful left thoracotomy with a lobectomy of the left lower lobe of the lung 5 days after the biopsy and recovered uneventfully.
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