Bilateral pleural effusions following central venous cannulation.
We describe a patient who developed bilateral pleural effusions as a delayed complication following central venous catheter insertion. Respiratory distress should not only raise the clinical suspicion of a pneumothorax but also of erosion and perforation of the central vein. The mechanism, diagnosis, management and prevention of this complication are discussed.
Tan
P L
PL
Department of Radiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. pecklingtan@hotmail.com
Chan
Clh
C
D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D035422:Pleural Cavity; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior