Lung herniation post-removal of thoracostomy tube

Abstract

A 30-year-old gentleman presented with complaints of fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath for 10 days. On presentation, he had a right intercostal drainage tube (ICD) in situ in view of chest radiograph findings where hydropneumothorax was suspected. He had a past history of pulmonary tuberculosis 3 years back for which he self-discontinued anti-tubercular therapy after 3 months. He was also diagnosed 2 years back with right pulmonary aspergilloma for which he was receiving anti-fungal therapy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the chest suggested right destroyed lung with multiple cavitations, ICD inserted in the right-sided lung cavity, and intracavitatory aspergilloma in the left lung. Hence, it was confirmed that the patient had a lung abscess with pus in a large cavity in the right lung which on chest radiograph had mimicked hydropneumothorax. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a case of chronic cavitatory pulmonary aspergillosis, and the thoracostomy tube was removed. Post-tube removal, the patient developed lung herniation from the suture site which was confirmed on a CT scan for which the patient was successfully managed conservatively. Follow-up at 3 months did not reveal any evidence of lung herniation.