When coughing can cause stroke--a case-based update on cerebral air embolism complicating biopsy of the lung

Thomas Kau; Egon Rabitsch; Stefan Celedin; Sandra M Habernig; Jörg R Weber; Klaus A Hausegger

doi:10.1007/s00270-008-9339-z

When coughing can cause stroke--a case-based update on cerebral air embolism complicating biopsy of the lung

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2008 Sep-Oct;31(5):848-53. doi: 10.1007/s00270-008-9339-z. Epub 2008 Apr 9.

Authors

Thomas Kau¹, Egon Rabitsch, Stefan Celedin, Sandra M Habernig, Jörg R Weber, Klaus A Hausegger

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, General Hospital of Klagenfurt, St. Veiter Strasse 47, Klagenfurt, 9020, Austria. t.kau@gmx.at

PMID: 18398638
DOI: 10.1007/s00270-008-9339-z

Abstract

Introducing gas to the circulation is a largely iatrogenic problem which can result in serious morbidity and even death. We report a case of CT-guided needle biopsy of a pulmonary lesion complicated by acute stroke. The English literature on cerebral air embolism is reviewed, including an update of current opinions on its pathomechanism, diagnostic findings, therapeutic strategies, and means of prevention.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review

MeSH terms

Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
Biopsy, Needle / methods
Cough / complications*
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Embolism, Air / diagnostic imaging
Embolism, Air / etiology*
Embolism, Air / therapy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperbaric Oxygenation / methods
Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
Male
Middle Aged
Positron-Emission Tomography
Radiography, Interventional / adverse effects
Risk Assessment
Stroke / diagnostic imaging
Stroke / etiology*
Stroke / therapy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
Treatment Outcome