ICU Chest Films > Lines and Tubes > Thoracostomy Tubes > Complications of Thoracostomy Tubes

Complications of Thoracostomy Tubes

Complications of thoracostomy tube placement frequently involve injury to adjacent structures. This is often difficult to detect with a chest x-ray alone and may require a CT scan in patients with suspected injury. CT is also useful when the location of the tube is important and unclear on plain radiographs.

   CT demonstrating chest tube (arrow) penetrating lung parenchyma with surrounding intraparenchymal hematoma (arrow heads).