What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a 54-year-old man who developed a brain air embolism after a lung biopsy using a fine needle.
What They Found
A 54-year-old man developed leg weakness, balance issues, and difficulty urinating after a lung biopsy. Medical tests indicated a brain stem injury likely caused by an air embolism to a major artery in his brain. His symptoms gradually improved both before and after he received hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Canadian Relevance
While this study was not conducted in Canada, it covers arterial gas embolism, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study describes the experience of only one patient, meaning its findings cannot be broadly applied to others.