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Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome
Published on: May 26, 2023
Acute decompensation of patient following an outpatient CT-guided needle biopsy: A case report
Danielle Fall1, Tyler Smith2, Ann Marie Prazak3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Devision of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Abstract:
A 74-year-old female with history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and uterine adenocarcinoma presented for CT-guided lung biopsy that was ultimately complicated by an arterial air embolus requiring intensive care. Systemic air embolism is a very rare event but can be devastating. Prompt recognition can be difficult due to an often-vague presentation but is essential and should be considered upon rapid deterioration of a patient's status following high risk procedures. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is preferred; however, if this is unavailable, additional treatments are predominately supportive care with 100% supplemental oxygen, rapid volume expansion, and ionotropic medications as needed.
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