Skip to main content
Top
Published in: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology 5/2014

01-10-2014 | Clinical Investigation

Risk Factors for Systemic Air Embolism as a Complication of Percutaneous CT-guided Lung Biopsy: Multicenter Case-control Study

Authors: Hiroaki Ishii, Takao Hiraki, Hideo Gobara, Hiroyasu Fujiwara, Hidefumi Mimura, Kotaro Yasui, Tetsuya Doke, Takashi Mukai, Hironori Kurokawa, Yoshitomo Ando, Soichiro Hase, Toshihiro Iguchi, Takayuki Yabuki, Kenichi Omae, Nobuhisa Tajiri, Toshiharu Mitsuhashi, Susumu Kanazawa

Published in: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology | Issue 5/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To determine risk factors for systemic air embolism by percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy.

Methods

This case-control study used data from 2216 percutaneous lung biopsy procedures performed over 11 years at 12 institutions in Japan. Systemic air embolism was identified by retrospective review of CT images obtained during and immediately after the procedures. To fulfill our objective, multiple variables were compared between cases and controls with univariate analyses by using Student’s t test and Fisher’s exact test for numerical and categorical values, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed using selected variables.

Results

Ten cases of systemic air embolism and 2,206 controls were identified. Univariate analyses showed that the lesions in the lower lobe (P = 0.025) and occurrence of parenchymal hemorrhage (P = 0.019) were significant risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of a larger biopsy needle was a significant risk factor (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Parenchymal hemorrhage during the procedure, lesions in the lower lobe, and the use of larger biopsy needles may be risk factors for systemic air embolism by percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy. Our findings may provide clues toward minimizing the risk of this complication.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Hiraki T, Mimura H, Gobara H et al (2009) CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsy of 1000 pulmonary lesions performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles: diagnostic yield and risk factors for diagnostic failure. Chest 136:1612–1617PubMedCrossRef Hiraki T, Mimura H, Gobara H et al (2009) CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsy of 1000 pulmonary lesions performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles: diagnostic yield and risk factors for diagnostic failure. Chest 136:1612–1617PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Sinner WN (1976) Complications of percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy. Acta Radiol Diagn 17:813–828 Sinner WN (1976) Complications of percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy. Acta Radiol Diagn 17:813–828
3.
go back to reference Richardson CM, Pointon KS, Manhire AR, Macfarlane JT (2002) Percutaneous lung biopsies: a survey of UK practice based on 5444 biopsies. Br J Radiol 75:731–735PubMedCrossRef Richardson CM, Pointon KS, Manhire AR, Macfarlane JT (2002) Percutaneous lung biopsies: a survey of UK practice based on 5444 biopsies. Br J Radiol 75:731–735PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Tomiyama N, Yasuhara Y, Nakajima Y et al (2006) CT-guided needle biopsy of lung lesions: a survey of severe complication based on 9783 biopsies in Japan. Eur J Radiol 59:60–64PubMedCrossRef Tomiyama N, Yasuhara Y, Nakajima Y et al (2006) CT-guided needle biopsy of lung lesions: a survey of severe complication based on 9783 biopsies in Japan. Eur J Radiol 59:60–64PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Hiraki T, Fujiwara H, Sakurai J et al (2007) Nonfatal systemic air embolism complicating percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: four cases from a single institution. Chest 132:684–690PubMedCrossRef Hiraki T, Fujiwara H, Sakurai J et al (2007) Nonfatal systemic air embolism complicating percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: four cases from a single institution. Chest 132:684–690PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Um SJ, Lee SK, Yang DK et al (2009) Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Korean J Radiol 10:81–84PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Um SJ, Lee SK, Yang DK et al (2009) Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Korean J Radiol 10:81–84PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Ibukuro K, Tanaka R, Takeguchi T et al (2009) Air embolism and needle track implantation complicating CT-guided percutaneous thoracic biopsy: single-institution experience. AJR Am J Roentgenol 193:W430–W436PubMedCrossRef Ibukuro K, Tanaka R, Takeguchi T et al (2009) Air embolism and needle track implantation complicating CT-guided percutaneous thoracic biopsy: single-institution experience. AJR Am J Roentgenol 193:W430–W436PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Kuo HL, Cheng L, Chung TJ (2010) Systemic air embolism detected during percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy: report of two cases and a proposal for a routine postprocedure computed tomography scan of the aorto-cardiac region. Clin Imaging 34:53–56PubMedCrossRef Kuo HL, Cheng L, Chung TJ (2010) Systemic air embolism detected during percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy: report of two cases and a proposal for a routine postprocedure computed tomography scan of the aorto-cardiac region. Clin Imaging 34:53–56PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Ishikawa Y, Matsuguma H, Nakahara R et al (2009) Arterial air embolism: a rare but life-threatening complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. Ann Thorac Surg 87:1622PubMedCrossRef Ishikawa Y, Matsuguma H, Nakahara R et al (2009) Arterial air embolism: a rare but life-threatening complication of percutaneous needle biopsy of the lung. Ann Thorac Surg 87:1622PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Kau T, Rabitsch E, Celedin S et al (2008) When coughing can cause stroke: a case-based update on cerebral air embolism complicating biopsy of the lung. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 31:848–853PubMedCrossRef Kau T, Rabitsch E, Celedin S et al (2008) When coughing can cause stroke: a case-based update on cerebral air embolism complicating biopsy of the lung. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 31:848–853PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Baker BK, Awwad EE (1988) Computed tomography of fatal cerebral air embolism following percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the lung. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12:1082–1083PubMedCrossRef Baker BK, Awwad EE (1988) Computed tomography of fatal cerebral air embolism following percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the lung. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12:1082–1083PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Worth ER, Burton RJ Jr, Landreneau RJ et al (1990) Left atrial air embolism during intraoperative needle biopsy of a deep pulmonary lesion. Anesthesiology 73:342–345PubMedCrossRef Worth ER, Burton RJ Jr, Landreneau RJ et al (1990) Left atrial air embolism during intraoperative needle biopsy of a deep pulmonary lesion. Anesthesiology 73:342–345PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Mokhlesi B, Ansaarie I, Bader M et al (2002) Coronary artery air embolism complicating a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Chest 121:993–996PubMedCrossRef Mokhlesi B, Ansaarie I, Bader M et al (2002) Coronary artery air embolism complicating a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Chest 121:993–996PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Ohashi S, Endoh H, Honda T et al (2001) Cerebral air embolism complicating percutaneous thin-needle biopsy of the lung: complete neurological recovery after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. J Anesth 15:233–236PubMedCrossRef Ohashi S, Endoh H, Honda T et al (2001) Cerebral air embolism complicating percutaneous thin-needle biopsy of the lung: complete neurological recovery after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. J Anesth 15:233–236PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Khalil A, Prigent H, Parrot A, Carette MF (2006) Systemic air embolism complicating percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 187:W242–W243PubMedCrossRef Khalil A, Prigent H, Parrot A, Carette MF (2006) Systemic air embolism complicating percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 187:W242–W243PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Mammana RB, Petersen EA, Fuller JK et al (1983) Pulmonary infections in cardiac transplant patients: modes of diagnosis, complications, and effectiveness of therapy. Ann Thorac Surg 36:700–705PubMedCrossRef Mammana RB, Petersen EA, Fuller JK et al (1983) Pulmonary infections in cardiac transplant patients: modes of diagnosis, complications, and effectiveness of therapy. Ann Thorac Surg 36:700–705PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Aberle DR, Gamsu G, Golden JA (1987) Fatal systemic arterial air embolism following lung needle aspiration. Radiology 165:351–353PubMedCrossRef Aberle DR, Gamsu G, Golden JA (1987) Fatal systemic arterial air embolism following lung needle aspiration. Radiology 165:351–353PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Regge D, Gallo T, Galli J et al (1997) Systemic arterial air embolism and tension pneumothorax: two complications of transthoracic percutaneous thin-needle biopsy in the same patient. Eur Radiol 7:173–175PubMedCrossRef Regge D, Gallo T, Galli J et al (1997) Systemic arterial air embolism and tension pneumothorax: two complications of transthoracic percutaneous thin-needle biopsy in the same patient. Eur Radiol 7:173–175PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Wong RS, Ketai L, Temes T et al (1995) Air embolus complicating transthoracic percutaneous needle biopsy. Ann Thorac Surg 59:1010–1011PubMedCrossRef Wong RS, Ketai L, Temes T et al (1995) Air embolus complicating transthoracic percutaneous needle biopsy. Ann Thorac Surg 59:1010–1011PubMedCrossRef
20.
21.
go back to reference Agostoni E, Rahn H (1960) Abdominal and thoracic pressures at different lung volumes. J Appl Physiol 15:1087–1092PubMed Agostoni E, Rahn H (1960) Abdominal and thoracic pressures at different lung volumes. J Appl Physiol 15:1087–1092PubMed
Metadata
Title
Risk Factors for Systemic Air Embolism as a Complication of Percutaneous CT-guided Lung Biopsy: Multicenter Case-control Study
Authors
Hiroaki Ishii
Takao Hiraki
Hideo Gobara
Hiroyasu Fujiwara
Hidefumi Mimura
Kotaro Yasui
Tetsuya Doke
Takashi Mukai
Hironori Kurokawa
Yoshitomo Ando
Soichiro Hase
Toshihiro Iguchi
Takayuki Yabuki
Kenichi Omae
Nobuhisa Tajiri
Toshiharu Mitsuhashi
Susumu Kanazawa
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0174-1551
Electronic ISSN: 1432-086X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0808-7

Other articles of this Issue 5/2014

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology 5/2014 Go to the issue