Thoracostomy tube (chest tube): Flexible hollow tube placed in pleural space; drains infected collections and those that compromise respiration and cardiovascular function
Drug administration: Sclerosing agent for pleurodesis, hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy
Mediastinal drain: Drainage of mediastinal &/or pericardial collections
Post cardiac surgery: Prevention of tamponade and subsequent pericarditis
French (F): Outer diameter (equivalent to 0.333 mm)
Bore: Internal diameter (varies with manufacturer and tube length)
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
Fluoroscopic Findings
CT Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Complications
Selected References
Ravi C et al: Chest Tube 2021
Ameyaw K et al: Mediastinal drain placement: a ct-guided para-aortic approach. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 31(3):462-3, 2020
Latif A et al: Successful percutaneous computed tomography guided drainage of mediastinal abscess in esophageal perforation. Intractable Rare Dis Res. 8(3):221-3, 2019
Menegozzo CAM et al: Can ultrasound be used as an adjunct for tube thoracostomy? A systematic review of potential application to reduce procedure-related complications. Int J Surg. 68:85-90, 2019
Filosso PL et al: Errors and complications in chest tube placement. Thorac Surg Clin. 27(1):57-67, 2017
Related Anatomy
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Clinical Issues
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Thoracostomy tube (chest tube): Flexible hollow tube placed in pleural space; drains infected collections and those that compromise respiration and cardiovascular function
Drug administration: Sclerosing agent for pleurodesis, hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy
Mediastinal drain: Drainage of mediastinal &/or pericardial collections
Post cardiac surgery: Prevention of tamponade and subsequent pericarditis
French (F): Outer diameter (equivalent to 0.333 mm)
Bore: Internal diameter (varies with manufacturer and tube length)
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
Fluoroscopic Findings
CT Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ISSUES
Complications
Selected References
Ravi C et al: Chest Tube 2021
Ameyaw K et al: Mediastinal drain placement: a ct-guided para-aortic approach. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 31(3):462-3, 2020
Latif A et al: Successful percutaneous computed tomography guided drainage of mediastinal abscess in esophageal perforation. Intractable Rare Dis Res. 8(3):221-3, 2019
Menegozzo CAM et al: Can ultrasound be used as an adjunct for tube thoracostomy? A systematic review of potential application to reduce procedure-related complications. Int J Surg. 68:85-90, 2019
Filosso PL et al: Errors and complications in chest tube placement. Thorac Surg Clin. 27(1):57-67, 2017
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