A 58-year-old man with lymphoma has shortness of breath and chest pain. A chest x-ray shows bilateral blunting of the costophrenic angle. A thoracocentesis is performed. During this procedure, it is important to pass the needle immediately above the rib to prevent damage to which of the following structures in the subcostal groove?

A 58-year-old man with lymphoma has shortness of breath and chest pain. A chest x-ray shows bilateral blunting of the costophrenic angle. A thoracocentesis is performed. During this procedure, it is important to pass the needle immediately above the rib to prevent damage to which of the following structures in the subcostal groove?

A 58-year-old man with lymphoma has shortness of breath and chest pain. A chest x-ray shows bilateral blunting of the costophrenic angle. A thoracocentesis is performed. During this procedure, it is important to pass the needle immediately above the rib to prevent damage to which of the following structures in the subcostal groove?



(A) Intercostal artery and vein
(B) Intercostal nerve
(C) Intercostal nerve and artery
(D) Intercostal nerve and vein
(E) Intercostal nerve, artery, and vein

Answer:  E: Intercostal nerve, artery, and vein