title: Spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath).
abstract: A case of spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath) is presented. The outlet catheter was fractured at the entrance into the left subclavian vein twenty-one weeks after insertion and the distal part was embolized in the right ventricle. The embolized catheter fragment was retrieved by a 'goose-neck' snare via the right femoral vein. The awareness of a possible spontaneous fracture of the outlet catheter of a totally implanted catheter system (Port-A-Cath) is important to prevent accidental spillage of potent cytotoxic substances.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Haematology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Lucie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000592:standards*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000628:therapy*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D011241:Prednisone