Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intensive medical management successfully improved the neurological status of a patient who developed a rare iatrogenic cerebral air embolism following a lung biopsy.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects and improves clinical outcomes in patients with iatrogenic cerebral air embolism.
We report a female patient who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsy due to a right lung mass. After the procedure, she developed impaired consciousness. Non-contrast cranial CT revealed small intracranial air bubbles. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple acute cerebral infarctions. Whole-brain angiography did not reveal any major vessel occlusion. She was diagnosed as iatrogenic cerebral air embolism. After admission, she received intensive treatment including 100% oxygen inhalation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Eventually, she regained consciousness and was discharged successfully. Cerebral air embolism is a rare but severe complication of percutaneous lung biopsy with a generally poor prognosis. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for this condition in patients presenting with acute neurological deficits after lung biopsy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects and improves clinical outcomes.
Zhu et al. (Wed,) conducted a case report in Cerebral air embolism (n=1). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and 100% oxygen inhalation was evaluated on Neurological recovery. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intensive medical management successfully improved the neurological status of a patient who developed a rare iatrogenic cerebral air embolism following a lung biopsy.