ICU Chest Films > Lines and Tubes > Thoracostomy Tubes

Thoracostomy Tubes

Thoracostomy tubes are placed into the pleural space to evacuate either air or fluid. In the supine patient air collects anteriorly and fluid collects posteriorly. This dictates the proper positioning of the tube.

This patient had a large right pleural effusion (left) which had been evacuated 12 hours later (right) by a pigtail thoracostomy tube.