[An unusual complication of thoracostomy]. / Une complication inhabituelle d'une thoracostomie.

INTRODUCTION: Post pneumonectomy infection is a well-described surgical complication. Treatment usually involves thoracostomy and requires local treatments. We report here an unusual complication of this situation. CASE REPORT: A 62 year old man had a pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Following this he required a thoracostomy to treat a thoracic empyema and this was treated with local anti-septic agents. Subsequently he developed asthenia and a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made secondary to local disinfectant treatment with iodine agents. CONCLUSIONS: We describe an original case of thyroxicosis occurring in a patient following treatment for post-pneumonectomy empyema. We would recommend monitoring thyroid function in this context.