Haemothorax after attempted intercostal catheterisation

Abstract

A 30‐year‐old man with chronic abdominal pain was referred to the Pain Relief Unit after a course of unsuccessful diagnostic blocks and treatments. On admission, history, examination and clinical investigations were consistent with a large pleural effusion due to a recent attempt to catheterise the intercostal space. Pleural drainage confirmed the diagnosis of haemothorax. Percutaneous intercostal nerve blocks are usually considered as safe and simple and no‐one to our knowledge has reported such a complication. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved