Cerebral Air Embolism Complicating Transbronchoscopic Lung Biopsy
Authors: ALLAN D. ERICKSON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1979)

Brief Reports1 June 1979Cerebral Air Embolism Complicating Transbronchoscopic Lung BiopsyALLAN D. ERICKSON, M.D., RICHARD S. IRWIN, M.D., CARL TEPLITZ, M.D., WILLIAM M. CORRAO, M.D., JOSEPH T. TARPEY, M.D.ALLAN D. ERICKSON, M.D., RICHARD S. IRWIN, M.D., CARL TEPLITZ, M.D., WILLIAM M. CORRAO, M.D., JOSEPH T. TARPEY, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-90-6-937 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAlthough transbronchoscopic lung biopsy generally causes little morbidity, life-threatening complications have been noted (1). Cerebral air embolism, not previously reported, is described here.A 48-year-old man with known alcoholic liver disease and chronic bronchitis was admitted with increasing weakness and shortness of breath of 2 weeks' duration. At physical examination, his oral temperature was 38.3 °C and respirations 24/min. Jaundice and scattered wheezes were noted bilaterally. Hematocrit was 33% and leukocyte count 5400/mm3. Arterial PO2was 59 torr and PCO2, 26 torr (room air). Chest roentgenogram showed diffuse, uniform, finely nodular infiltrates. Skin test with intermediate strength tuberculin (purified protein...References1. HERFSURATTARORA SPN: Deaths and complications associated with transbronchial lung biopsy. Am Rev Respir Dis 115:708-711, 1977 MedlineGoogle Scholar2. ZAVALA D: Transbronchial biopsy in diffuse lung disease. Chest 73(suppl):727-733, 1978 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. ZAVALA D: Pulmonary hemorrhage in fiberoptic transbronchial biopsy. Chest 70:584-588, 1976 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. PEREIRAKOVNATSNIDER WDG: A prospective cooperative study of complications following flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Chest 73:813-816, 1978 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. THOMAS A: Air embolism following penetrating lung injuries. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 66:533-540, 1973 CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Veterans Administration Medical Center Rhode Island Hospital Brown University Providence, Rhode Island PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByCerebral arterial air embolism after endobronchial electrocautery: a case report and review of the literatureCerebral air embolism complicating transbronchial lung biopsy: A case reportA Case of Cerebral Air Embolism During Diagnostic Flexible BronchoscopyCerebral Artery Gas Embolism Following Navigational BronchoscopyAir embolism following bronchoscopy with fine needle aspiration: An unexpected complicationCerebral air embolism following transbronchial lung biopsy during flexible bronchoscopyCerebral gas arterial embolism complicating bronchial biopsies with a flexible bronchoscope: a case reportFatal Systemic Venous Air Embolism During Endoscopic Retrograde CholangiopancreatographyGas Flow During Bronchoscopic Ablation Therapy Causes Gas Emboli to the HeartCerebral air embolism during transbronchial biopsyCerebral Arterial Air Embolism After Transbronchial Lung BiopsyFatal cerebral air embolism as a complication of transbronchoscopic lung biopsy: A case reportPathogenesis of Systemic Air Embolism During Bronchoscopic Nd:YAG Laser OperationsCerebrovascular accident during endoscopy: consider cerebral air embolism, a rapidly reversible event with hyperbaric oxygen therapyAtheromatous EmbolismSystemic Gas Embolism Complicating Mechanical Ventilation in the Adult Respiratory Distress SyndromeJohn J. Marini, MD, Bruce H. Culver, MDTransbronchial Biopsy and Needle AspirationPathogenesis of Cerebral Air Embolism during Neodymium-YAG Laser PhotoresectionPulmonary Hemorrhage and Air Embolism Complicating Transbronchial Biopsy in Pulmonary AmyloidosisGas Embolism 1 June 1979Volume 90, Issue 6Page: 937-938KeywordsBiopsyLungsPartial pressure of carbon dioxidePartial pressure of oxygenProteinsRespirationSkin testsTemperatureThoraxTuberculin Issue Published: 1 June 1979 PDF DownloadLoading ...