Left Heart and Systemic Arterial Circulation Air Embolus During CT-Guided Lung Biopsy.

A transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) of the lung, commonly referred to as a "lung biopsy," is a commonly performed procedure in Interventional Radiology. It is usually associated with well-known risks including pneumothorax and hemothorax. One of the rare and lesser-known risks of TTNB, however, is a phenomenon called an air embolism. The term "air embolism" alone may be somewhat ambiguous, as it could indicate i) air entering the systemic veins, or ii) air entering the pulmonary veins. Here, we present a case of an air embolus entering the pulmonary veins. The pulmonary veins naturally drain into the left side of the heart (left atrium and ventricle) which provides oxygenated blood to the major arteries of the body including the coronary, carotid, and major abdominal visceral branches. Therefore, an air embolism in this vasculature can lead to potentially devastating hemodynamic consequences downstream.

Current State of Tumor Ablation Therapies.

The most common primary liver malignancy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has a high likelihood of mortality, and much effort into early detection and treatment has occurred. Multiple staging systems have surfaced of which some guide treatment. Curative intent is a goal of early-staged HCC treatment, and this can be achieved with surgical resection, liver transplantation, and minimally invasive percutaneous therapies such as tumor ablation. Many of the newer ablation techniques have evolved from shortcomings of prior methods which have resulted in an expanded number of applications for tumor ablation. Our review focuses on current mainstream image-guided percutaneous ablation modalities which are commonly performed as an alternative to surgery.

Acute calcific longus colli tendonitis.

Acute calcific longus colli tendonitis is an inflammatory response of the neck flexor musculature. Patients present with symptoms suggestive of a retropharyngeal abscess or meningitis. Adjunctive medical imaging is required to confirm the diagnosis and dispel other, more serious and life threatening, pathologies. We present a case of acute calcific longus colli tendonitis, and provide a discussion on the topic as to avoid unnecessary medical and surgical intervention because the entity can be easily confused with more severe diseases.

Pericardioesophageal fistula following left atrial ablation procedure.

We present a case of pericardioesophageal fistula formation in a 40 year old male who 23 days after undergoing a repeat ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation developed chest pressure, chills and diaphoresis. After initial labs and tests that demonstrated no evidence for acute myocardial ischemia, the patient underwent CT angiography of the chest. The study revealed pneumopericardium and a pericardial effusion. Suspicion was raised of perforation of the posterior left atrial myocardial wall with injury to adjacent esophagus. Water soluble contrast with transition to barium sulfate esophagram subsequently performed identified a perforation further affirming the postulate of a fistulous communication between the esophagus and pericardium. Transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed pericardial effusion but did not demonstrate myocardial defect. Endoscopic management was preferred and an esophageal stent was placed. Follow up esophagram showed an intact esophageal stent without evidence of extravasation.