Surreal image of air bubbles traveling to the brain, symbolizing gas embolism.

Gas Embolism After Lung Biopsy: What You Need to Know

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"A rare but serious complication, gas embolism following a lung biopsy requires quick diagnosis and treatment. Here’s how to stay informed and prepared."

Cerebral ischemia, or stroke, is a rare complication that can occur during surgical or interventional radiology procedures. While uncommon, it's crucial to recognize the potential for such events and understand the various underlying causes.

Gas embolism is one of the possible causes, making swift diagnosis and treatment essential. When air bubbles enter the bloodstream and block blood flow to the brain, the consequences can be severe.

This article explores a case of ischemic stroke following a CT-guided lung biopsy complicated by gas embolism, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preparedness in medical settings.

Recognizing the Signs: What Does Gas Embolism Look Like?

Surreal image of air bubbles traveling to the brain, symbolizing gas embolism.

A 56-year-old male, a smoker with a history of laryngeal cancer treated with radio-chemotherapy, underwent a follow-up chest CT scan. The scan revealed a 17mm pulmonary nodule in the left Fowler segment, prompting a CT-guided lung biopsy.

During the procedure, the patient was placed in a prone position to access the nodule. A standard 20G fine needle was used to collect three samples. Immediately after repositioning the patient to a supine position, he experienced a brief loss of consciousness accompanied by clonic movements on the left side of his body and urinary incontinence.

Immediate Post-Procedure Symptoms: Sudden loss of consciousness, seizures, and incontinence.
Neurological Deficits: Weakness on one side of the body, especially affecting the face and arm.
Imaging Findings: CT scans showing air bubbles in the brain's blood vessels.

The patient was immediately given high-flow oxygen. A neurological examination revealed left-sided weakness, with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6. An initial CT scan of the brain without contrast was performed within twenty minutes, revealing abnormalities in the cortical sulci indicative of fat embolism.

Preventing Future Incidents: Steps to Minimize Risk

Gas embolism is a rare but serious complication of transthoracic lung biopsies. Recognizing the signs and acting quickly are essential. Early diagnosis via CT scan and prompt treatment, ideally with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.praneu.2018.07.006, Alternate LINK

Title: Biopsie Pulmonaire Compliquée D’Embolie Gazeuse : Diagnostic Et Prise En Charge

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: Pratique Neurologique - FMC

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: E. Panicucci, C. Bruno, M.H. Mahagne, L. Suissa

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is gas embolism and why is it so dangerous?

Gas embolism occurs when air bubbles enter the bloodstream and obstruct blood flow. This is particularly dangerous because it can lead to cerebral ischemia, or stroke, if the air bubbles block blood flow to the brain. Quick diagnosis, often through CT scans, and immediate treatment, potentially including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, are crucial to minimize damage and improve patient outcomes.

What are the most important signs to look for that might indicate someone is experiencing gas embolism after a procedure?

The symptoms of gas embolism can manifest rapidly and include sudden loss of consciousness, seizures, and incontinence immediately following a procedure like a lung biopsy. Neurological deficits, such as weakness on one side of the body, particularly affecting the face and arm, can also be indicative. Imaging findings, like air bubbles visible in the brain's blood vessels on a CT scan, further confirm the diagnosis.

Why is cerebral ischemia (stroke) such a critical concern when we talk about gas embolism?

Cerebral ischemia, also known as stroke, is significant in the context of gas embolism because it represents a severe complication where the brain doesn't receive enough blood flow due to the blockage caused by air bubbles. This can lead to permanent brain damage, neurological deficits, or even death. Recognizing the signs of cerebral ischemia early, such as weakness or speech difficulties, is critical for prompt intervention.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy and how does it help in cases of gas embolism?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment where a patient breathes 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, which can help to reduce the size of the air bubbles in a gas embolism and improve oxygen delivery to the tissues affected by cerebral ischemia. It's a key treatment option aimed at minimizing the long-term effects of gas embolism.

Besides treatment, what can be done to minimize the risk of gas embolism during procedures like lung biopsies?

Minimizing the risk of gas embolism during procedures like transthoracic lung biopsies involves careful technique and vigilance. While the information provided notes early diagnosis via CT scan and prompt treatment as key factors in improved patient outcome, additional preventative measures would include careful patient selection, meticulous attention to detail during the procedure to avoid introducing air into the bloodstream, and continuous monitoring of the patient for any signs of distress or neurological changes immediately following the procedure.