title: An unusual complication of central line insertion: the left superior vena cava.
abstract: A Vascath dialysis line was inserted under direct ultrasound guidance into the left internal jugular vein for plasmapharesis to treat a 60-year-old woman admitted with a myasthenic crisis secondary to sepsis. A chest X-ray was arranged to check the position of the line and look for any complications, which revealed the presence of a left superior vena cava. Because of the uncertainty of the drainage of this vein a right-sided catheter was then inserted. The repeat chest X-ray (Figure 1) shows both lines, and the two vena cava.
authors.affiliation: Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton TA1 5DA. andrew.thompson@tst.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Nic
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wennike
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging