Haemothorax after attempted intercostal catheterisation.
A 30-year-old man with chronic abdominal pain was referred to the Pain Relief Unit after a course of unsuccessful diagnostic blocks and treatments. On admission, history, examination and clinical investigations were consistent with a large pleural effusion due to a recent attempt to catheterise the intercostal space. Pleural drainage confirmed the diagnosis of haemothorax. Percutaneous intercostal nerve blocks are usually considered as safe and simple and no-one to our knowledge has reported such a complication.
Dangoisse
M
M
Oxford Regional Pain Relief Unit, Churchill Hospital, Headington.
Collins
S
S
Glynn
C J
CJ
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology