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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Summary
Transitory pleural thickening after chest tube removal is common in children. This finding on chest x-rays can be mistaken for serious conditions, but it is a normal reaction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Chest tubes are frequently used in pediatric patients for various thoracic conditions.
- Post-procedural pleural changes can occur after chest tube insertion and removal.
- Radiographic interpretation requires distinguishing normal findings from pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the incidence and radiographic appearance of transitory pleural thickening following chest tube removal in children.
- To differentiate this benign finding from more severe pleural and pulmonary abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of chest x-rays in 60 pediatric patients treated with chest tubes.
- Radiographic assessment for pleural thickening up to ten days after tube removal.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Nine out of 60 children (15%) exhibited localized pleural thickening on post-removal chest x-rays.
- These pleural changes were observed up to ten days after chest tube removal.
- The findings were consistent with a local pleural reaction, not indicative of complications.
Conclusions:
- Transitory pleural thickening is a common, benign radiographic finding after chest tube removal in children.
- Awareness of this finding can prevent misdiagnosis of serious pleural or pulmonary disease.
- Radiologists and clinicians should consider this transient reaction in pediatric post-thoracotomy tube imaging.
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