Direct azygos vein and superior vena cava cannulation for parenteral nutrition.
As a result of superior vena cava thrombosis and ligation of the inferior vena cava, central venous access was limited in a patient with large, recurrent, intestinal fistulas. Transthoracic catheterization of the azygos vein provided a successful route for parenteral nutrition for 9 wk on one occasion, and transthoracic catheterization of the superior vena cava allowed parenteral nutrition for over 9 months on another.
D000368:Aged; D001401:Azygos Vein; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000628:therapy; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior