A 60-year-old woman on ICU has a chest drain for a right-sided empyema. The drain stops swinging with respiration and there is no further output. CXR ...

Question

A 60-year-old woman on ICU has a chest drain for a right-sided empyema. The drain stops swinging with respiration and there is no further output. CXR shows a residual loculated collection. What is the most likely problem?

Accepted Answer

The drain is blocked by fibrinous debris - it should be flushed with 20-30 mL normal saline, and if unsuccessful, a new drain may be needed, or intrapleural fibrinolytics considered

Answer

The empyema has resolved

Answer

The drain should be removed immediately

Answer

The lung has fully re-expanded

Answer

The patient has developed a pneumothorax

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Chest Drain Troubleshooting

A 60-year-old woman on ICU has a chest drain for a right-sided empyema. The drain stops swinging with respiration and there is no further output. CXR shows a residual loculated collection. What is the most likely problem?