Rib erosion: late complication of long-standing biliary drainage catheters

Complications at the level of the thoracic wall during biliary drainage are rare. Two cases of rib erosion manifested more than 15 months after insertion of a percutaneous drainage catheter are reported. The contact of the catheter with the ribs and the extension to the periosteum and bony tissue of granulomatous processes are discussed as pathogenetic mechanisms.