Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.57(1) > 1000743

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Kang, Jung, Ryu, Kim, Lee, Cheon, Nam, and Chang: A Patient Presenting Purulent Discharge From Open Window Thoracostomy
Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2004; 57(1): 78-81.

Published online: 31 July 2004

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2004.57.1.78

A Patient Presenting Purulent Discharge From Open Window Thoracostomy

In Sook Kang, M.D., Ji Min Jung, M.D., Yon Ju Ryu, M.D., Yookyung Kim, M.D.1, Jin Hwa Lee, M.D., Eun Mee Cheon, M.D., Dong Ki Nam, M.D.2, Jung Hyun Chang, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

1Department of Diagnostic radiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Internal Medicine, Yangi Hospital, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jung Hyun Chang, M.D. Department of internal medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 911-1 MokDong, YangCheon-Ku, Seoul, 158-710, Korea. Phone: 02-2650-5003, Fax: 02-2655-2076, hs1017@ewha.ac.kr

Received 8 April 2004       Accepted 28 May 2004

Copyright©2004. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. All rights reserved.

Abstract

A 73-year-old man who had undergone a right pneumonectomy and open window thoracostomy due to tuberculous empyema, presented with purulent discharge from the previous operation site. The computed tomography of the chest showed diffuse pleural thickening and a low attenuated lesion, with air bubbles in a dependent portion of the right hemithorax. These air bubbles were revealed to be due to 7 pieces of retained surgical gauze by flexible bronchoscopy. The patient showed marked clinical improvement with diminished purulent discharge after removal of the foreign bodies.

Keywords: Thoracostomy, Computed tomography, Foreign body

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