CTICasesIntraparenchymal Chest Tube Misplacement and Lung Laceration
Imaging findings
CT demonstrates a pigtail chest drain passing directly through the fissure and into the parenchyma of the left lower lobe, with surrounding localized pulmonary hemorrhage. The tube is curled inside a laceration space rather than sitting in the pleural cavity.
Key takeaways
Misplacement of chest tubes into the lung parenchyma is a known complication, particularly when using trocar-mounted drains or in patients with severe emphysema where the lung is non-adherent or lacks normal elasticity. CT is highly useful to evaluate non-functioning drains and identify lung laceration or parenchymal penetration.
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