What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a 45-year-old man who developed sudden paralysis in his lower body after a CT-guided needle biopsy of a lung nodule.
What They Found
Ten minutes after the biopsy, the patient experienced lower body weakness and collapsed. An MRI 24 hours later showed swelling and a high-signal lesion in his thoracic spinal cord at T7, T8, and T9. The patient received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a few days and rehabilitation, but six months later, he was unable to walk and remained in a wheelchair, though he could stand for 10 minutes and manage bowel movements independently.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This case highlights a rare but serious complication of CT-guided lung biopsies, where spinal cord injury and paralysis can occur. While hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used, it did not lead to a full recovery in this patient. Patients undergoing similar procedures should be informed of potential risks, even if rare.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a larger patient population, and the exact mechanism of injury remains unclear.