Dysphagia and dysphonia in a patient with cancer

Abstract

A patient with cancer undergoing chemotherapy via Portacath presented with severe progressive dysphagia and dysphonia. Unilateral paresis of the 9, 10, 11, and 12th cranial nerves was found (Collet-Sicard's syndrome or Villaret's syndrome), associated with ipsilateral jugular vein thrombosis identified by imaging. The use of central venous catheters is increasing, and even rare, hitherto unreported, complications need to be recognized. After catheter removal, the patient slowly improved with low-molecular weight heparin treatment and time.