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  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Unsuspected transection of lung by pigtail catheter in a premature infant

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 190–192 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Thoracostomy tubes are commonly required to treat pnuemothoraces in premature infants.1, 2 Evidence of impalement of the lungs by tube thoracostomy has been seen in autopsy studies.3 In neonates, there has been described a surprisingly high incidence of lung perforation.4, 5 The premature lung is thought to be at greater risk for this complication owing to the pliant, thin chest wall, the proximity of vital tissues and the fragility of the lung tissue itself. The modified Fuhrman catheter, or polyurethane pigtail catheter, has been developed for the drainage of pneumothorax in premature infants.6 In a study of complications of the placement of pigtail catheters, no instance of penetration of the lungs was reported.7 We report the case of a premature infant with pigtail catheter placement that, at autopsy, was found to have impaled the lung and discuss the incidence of lung injury associated with invasive management of pnuemothoraces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA

    R W Brooker, G R Booth & W J Keenan

  2. Department of Pathology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    D E DeMello

Authors
  1. R W Brooker
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  2. G R Booth
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  3. D E DeMello
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  4. W J Keenan
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Correspondence to R W Brooker.

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Brooker, R., Booth, G., DeMello, D. et al. Unsuspected transection of lung by pigtail catheter in a premature infant. J Perinatol 27, 190–192 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211649

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211649

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