[Hemoptysis caused by a retained piece of chest drain]

We describe a patient with haemoptysis 13 and 22 years after thoracotomy for a leiomyoma of the oesophagus. Despite extensive evaluation we did not get a firm diagnosis. The findings at bronchoscopy and microscopy suggested the possibility of a bronchial adenoma. At exploratory thoracotomy we found an intrapulmonary torn-off tip of a pleural drain. In retrospect, this foreign body was recognizable on the lung tomogram, the computerized tomogram and the magnetic resonance image. We discuss the diagnostic approach of a patient with non-massive haemoptysis.