Case: A 74-year-old woman underwent computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of a small lung mass. Immediately after the procedure, she lost consciousness. After resuscitation, her brain computed tomography scan confirmed a cerebral air embolism.
Outcome: As hyperbaric oxygenation was unavailable, she received controlled normothermia for neuroprotection. No cerebral symptoms were observed following treatment.
Conclusion: Air embolisms are rare, but fatal, complications of computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Preventing hyperthermia might be effective for treating hypoxic brain injury caused by cerebral air embolisms.
Keywords: Air embolism; complication; hypoxic brain damage; ischemia; targeted temperature management.