“Double Fistula”: Bronchopleural and Pleurosubcutaneous- A Rare Complication of Closed Pleural Biopsy

Closed pleural biopsy is a vital diagnostic tool and currently recommended in cases of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. It is a simple procedure without any complications and seldom associated with complications like pneumothorax, intra pleural haemorrhage and secondary infections. An unreported complication till date is described here in which a double fistula consisting of bronchopleural and pleurosubcutaneous fistulas developed in a patient following needle biopsy of parietal pleura. Being an extremely rare complication, it should not serve as a contraindication for pleural biopsy in cases where it is indicated.