Successful removal of malpositioned chest drain within the liver by embolization of the transhepatic track.
The insertion of a chest drain catheter for the management of a pneumothorax in an 82-year-old woman resulted in the unusual complication of liver penetration. The position of the drain was assessed by contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan. Because the patient was hemodynamically stable and no damage to major vessels was seen on computed tomographic scan, the patient was treated in a nonoperative manner. A procedure was performed under controlled conditions using techniques used during transhepatic liver biopsies but with the addition of a balloon catheter. Embolization of the liver track was performed during chest drain removal. The drain was successfully removed without the complication of bleeding in a patient unsuitable for a general anesthetic.
Tait
Paul
P
Department of Radiology, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK.
Waheed
Umeer
U
Bell
Suzanne
S
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003287:Contrast Media; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media