Background and Aims: Systemic air embolism is recognized as a rare but potentially fatal complication of trans‐thoracic needle biopsy of the lung.
Methods: We report the case of a young female who ...developed fatal cerebral air embolism following computed tomography (CT) guided needle biopsy of a lung mass.
Results: Immediately after the procedure, the patient went into cardio‐respiratory arrest. Despite adequate resuscitation and ventilatory support, she showed little recovery in her neurological status and subsequently died. CT scan of the brain confirmed cerebral arterial air embolism.
Conclusion: Radiologists and physicians need to be aware of this rare but potentially fatal complication of needle lung biopsy.
Please cite this paper as: Thomas R, Thangakunam B, Cherian R Gupta R and Christopher DJ. Cerebral air embolism complicating CT‐guided trans‐thoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: e1–e3.
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The prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) among COVID-19 infections is significantly high. However, in resource-limited settings, appropriate computed tomography (CT) imaging is not possible for all ...COVID-19 patients. Very sick patients suspected of a PE may not be fit to be shifted to the CT room. Hence, it is likely that PE is underdiagnosed in Indian COVID-19 patients. Coexisting PE should be considered in all patients with influenza-like illnesses who have a Type 1 respiratory failure out of proportion to the severity of COVID- 19 radiology. In this case series, we discuss the different presentations of PE in patients with COVID-19.
Patients with immunodeficiency are at an increased risk of recurrent COVID-19 infection. They may lack the natural immune response that usually confers long-lasting immunity. Here, we present our ...experience managing one such patient, who had a COVID-19 infection twice, 5 months apart. He had a positive SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and computed tomography (CT) thorax with classical findings of COVID-19 on both occasions. He had multiple negative RT-PCR tests and two CT scans without COVID-19 features between these two infections. While the antibody response to the first infection was not detectable, the response to the second infection was robust. Live attenuated vaccines are contraindicated in patients with immunodeficiency, and other vaccines may not elicit an adequate immune response. A high index of suspicion for recurrent COVID-19 is warranted in this group of patients.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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