Tube thoracostomy is an invasive and common procedure that is often life-saving, but
by no means innocuous. We describe herein a case of chest trauma in which the chest
tube crossed through the mediastinum between aorta and esophagus and penetrated the
contralateral pleural cavity causing mild hemo thorax. A literature search has failed
to identify a similar case: the misplacement was detected in a control radiograph
which led to early adjustment of the tube and no sequalae.
Mediastinal perforation - Contralateral pleural penetration - Chest tube
