Cerebral arterial air embolism after computed tomography-guided hook-wire localization of a pulmonary nodule

Cranial arterial air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication after computed tomography (CT)-guided pulmonary interventions.A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with a pulmonary nodule (diameter: approximately 1 cm) in the right lower lobe. The patient developed convulsions after CT-guided hook-wire localization.Cranial CT revealed arborizing/linearly distributed gas in the territory of the right middle cerebral artery.The patient was administered hyperbaric oxygen, antiplatelet aggregation therapy, and dehydration treatment.Clinical death occurred 55 hours after air embolism.Systemic air embolism is a serious complication of lung puncture. Clinicians should improve their understanding of this complication and remain vigilant against air embolism.