Iatrogenic Bronchial Injury: A Rare Complication of Tube Thoracostomy with a Small Bore Catheter

ABSTRACT

A 69-year-old male was admitted for dyspnea and chest pain. The patient had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and tube thoracostomy three years ago. The chest radiograph showed pleural effusion, which was drained using a percutaneous catheter with CT guidance. However, residual pneumothorax was observed four days later. Despite insertion of the 12 Fr trocar-type tube, pneumothorax did not improve and air leaks were observed. Chest CT showed that the tube was placed in the left main bronchus. After removal of the tube, the patient recovered uneventfully from pulmonary hemorrhage and bronchial perforation without complications.