CXR Case 090

There is a large bore chest drain on the right with surgical emphysema and a hydropneumothorax.

The chest drain tip is situated towards the apex (or cupola) of the hemithorax.

This lady has trapped lung – the pleural fluid has been removed, but the visceral pleura is thickened with a malignant rind which encases it, prevents full expansion of the lung.

Sometimes suction and time can allow the lung to expand.

If there are complex loculations, VATS can be useful, rarely.

More recently indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) have transformed the management of trapped lung – allowing patients to get home with periodic drainage in the community.