title: [Differential diagnosis of left-sided thoracic venous catheters: case report of a persistent left superior vena cava].
abstract: The differential diagnosis of left-sided thoracic central venous catheters is discussed in context with the cannulation of a persistent left superior vena cava. In this case the catheter tip was seen lying to the left of the spine on frontal chest X-ray. In addition to the descending aorta, differential diagnoses are a persistent left-sided superior vena cava as well as other smaller veins such as the left internal thoracic vein, the left superior intercostal vein, or the pericardiophrenic vein. The misplacement of a venous catheter in a pericardiophrenic vein may result in a fatal pericardial tamponade.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schummer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schummer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reinhold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*