How common are the complications of intercostal catheter insertion?
Very common, figures of between 21-30% have been quoted.
Conclusion:
- Bilateral pulmonary contusions and pneumothoraces with bilateral ICC in situ.
- The left intercostal catheter extends into the mediastinum, without evidence of cardiac or great vessel injury.
- Extensive pneumomediastinum of secondary to the left intercostal catheter.
- Bilateral rib fractures as described below, with large right flail segment involving the right 4th-10th ribs.
- On the right, there are fractures at the 4th-10th ribs, constituting a large flail segment.
- Right lateral 4th and 5th rib fractures are moderately displaced.
- Fractures of the 7th and 8th ribs demonstrate cortical buckling.
- The 9th right rib is fractured in its anterior and posterior aspect.
- The left 6th - 8th ribs are fractured and minimally displaced at the costochondral junction.
- Findings highly suspicious for liver contusions within segment 6/7 and 4a/2.
Poorly defined region of low density within liver segment 6/7 is highly suspicious for a liver contusion, and is felt unlikely to represent artefact.
Within segment 4a/2, a further ill-defined low density most likely represents a further liver contusion. Low density adjacent to the ligamentum teres, within the left lobe of liver likely represent focal fatty infiltration.