title: The utility of the frontal chest radiograph in the evaluation of chest drain placement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the utility of the frontal chest radiograph in the assessment of chest drain position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six frontal chest radiographs in 45 patients with 61 chest drains (18 anterior, 9 interlobar, and 34 posterior position) were reviewed retrospectively to determine radiographic characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine percent of the anterior drains demonstrated a curved appearance at the insertion site, while 50% of posterior drains and all interlobar drains were straight at the insertion site. A curved intrapleural drain was a common finding when positioned anteriorly and posteriorly (67% and 59%, respectively). Interlobar drains were often straight throughout their course (89%). The tips of interlobar drains were usually positioned at the hilum (89%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that interlobar positioning can be suspected on the frontal chest radiograph. A curving chest drain with straight appearance at the insertion site was indicative of a posterior location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the University of Iowa College of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Galvin
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Erkonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies