Iatrogenic lymphocutaneous fistula secondary to right-sided pheresis catheter placement and its percutaneous treatment: a case report

Abstract

We present a case of an iatrogenic lymphocutaneous fistula secondary to placement of a tunneled, large bore (14.5 Fr) right-sided internal jugular vein for plasmapheresis to treat antibody-mediated kidney transplant rejection. While iatrogenic lymphatic leaks caused by neck and thoracic surgeries are well described in the literature, lymphatic leak or lymphocutaneous fistula resulting from image-guided placement of a central venous catheter through the right internal jugular vein has yet to be described. We also describe the successful percutaneous treatment of this lymphocutaneous fistula using a combination of n-butyl cyanoacrylate glue and embolization coils.