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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
Cerebral arterial air embolism after computed tomography-guided hook-wire localization of a pulmonary nodule: A case
Ming-Yi Wang1, Yong-Sheng Liu, Xiang-Bo An
1Department of Intervention Therapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Rationale:
Cranial arterial air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication after computed tomography (CT)-guided pulmonary interventions.
Patient Concerns:
A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with a pulmonary nodule (diameter: approximately 1 cm) in the right lower lobe. The patient developed convulsions after CT-guided hook-wire localization.
Diagnosis:
Cranial CT revealed arborizing/linearly distributed gas in the territory of the right middle cerebral artery.
Interventions:
The patient was administered hyperbaric oxygen, antiplatelet aggregation therapy, and dehydration treatment.
Outcomes:
Clinical death occurred 55 hours after air embolism.
Lessons:
Systemic air embolism is a serious complication of lung puncture. Clinicians should improve their understanding of this complication and remain vigilant against air embolism.
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