CASE AT A GLANCE
Lymph Node Biopsy w/ Vascular Injury

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Case Overview:

The patient had a history of multifollicular lymphoma. She went in for a biopsy of retroperitoneal lymph nodes near the kidneys and aorta. The first biopsy attempted was inconclusive. A week later, they went in for a second biopsy. During the procedure, some bleeding occurred, and a Gelfoam slurry was used to embolize the area; the procedure was then terminated. The CT guidance showed that the needle tip was lateral to the aortic wall, superior to the renal artery and vein, so it was determined that none of these vessels were injured with the needle. The plaintiff claimed that the needle must have hit a major vessel, and the Gelfoam might have embolized and caused blockages in the arteries of the legs. With the films and illustrations, the defense was able to show the location of the needle during the procedure and how improbable it was for them to have hit a major vessel. The jury found in favor of the defense.