Transection of lung as rare complication of pigtail catheter placement

Pigtail catheters and chest tubes are commonly used for effective resolution of pneumothoraces and drainage of simple pleural effusions. Given their small calibers, better flexibility and more ease at the time of insertion, pigtail catheters are associated with lower risks of complications when comp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dianelys Mendez, MD, Anish Samuel, MD, Sherif Roman, MD, Konstantinos Leou, MD, Rajapriya Manickam, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-08-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043321003204
Description
Summary:Pigtail catheters and chest tubes are commonly used for effective resolution of pneumothoraces and drainage of simple pleural effusions. Given their small calibers, better flexibility and more ease at the time of insertion, pigtail catheters are associated with lower risks of complications when compared to traditional chest tubes. Commonly reported complications of the pigtail catheters include the higher probability for clogging, kinking, and obstruction. Rare complications as air embolism, penetration of the heart and transection of the lungs are seldom reported in the literature. We present a case of an 81-year-old female presented with covid-19 pneumonia who developed bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces requiring bilateral pigtail insertion. The patient developed worsening hypoxia and chest imaging revealed that the left pigtail was transected into the lung parenchyma. With this case report, we hope to bring to light a rare complication of pigtail placement.
ISSN:1930-0433