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. 2010 Oct 19:4:327.
doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-4-327.

Right subclavian vein catheterism complication due to a 'foreign body': a case report

Zacharoula Sidiropoulou  1 , Pedro João, Paula Vasconcelos, Cristiana Couceiro
Affiliations

Right subclavian vein catheterism complication due to a 'foreign body': a case report

Zacharoula Sidiropoulou et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Central venous access devices are widely used in hospital practice. Complications associated with their use are well described and reviewed. In this paper, we report a former complication that in turn created a new complication during a standardized procedure.

Case presentation: We report the case of an 81-year-old Caucasian woman requiring total parenteral nutrition due to a high-debt enterocutaneous fistula. In a previous right subclavian catheterization a fragmentation of the tip of the catheter, probably not recognized at the time, provoked an extrinsic compression of the vessel.

Conclusion: Fragmentation of a central venous catheter is a possible complication of catheterization and can be missed. Control of a catheter is imperative after its removal, even if not always practiced.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Previous catheter tip.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Previous catheter tip localization between the two right subclavian vessels.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Left subclavian catheter tip.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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