Chylothorax as a complication of innominate vein thrombosis induced by a peripherally inserted central catheter.
A 5-month-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome developed chylothorax and oedema of the left upper arm more than 2 months after recovering from a Norwood stage II operation. Venography showed occlusion of the innominate vein with abundant collaterals crossing the midline to join the right internal jugular vein. The occlusion was caused by a peripherally inserted central catheter under systemic heparinisation. This case highlights the importance of a patent venous pathway, especially in patients with a cavopulmonary connection in the upper extremities.
Wu
E T
ET
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Takeuchi
M
M
Imanaka
H
H
Higuchi
T
T
Kagisaki
K
K
D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging