Embolization of a fractured central venous catheter placed using the internal jugular approach.
BACKGROUND
Fracture and embolization of central venous catheters placed via the subclavian approach is well recognized, but fractured catheters placed via the internal jugular vein are extremely rare.


METHODS
A 65-year-old man presented with a catheter embolus after placement of a central venous port using the internal jugular approach undertaken to administer adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer with lung metastases. Goose neck and conformational loop snares were successfully used to percutaneously retrieve the severed catheter, which had migrated to the right ventricle.


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter fracture may occur even after placement via the internal jugular approach and may be underestimated because it is often asymptomatic. Interventional radiology techniques using goose-neck and conformational loop snares may be useful to retract an intravascular foreign body.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging studies such as a chest X-ray are mandatory to check that the catheter tip is in the appropriate position during the entire follow-up period even if it was placed through the internal jugular vein.
Department of Surgery, Koganei Central Hospital, Koganei 2-4-3, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan; Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan. Electronic address: ashimizu@jichi.ac.jp.
Atsushi
A
Shimizu
Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
Alan
A
Lefor
Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
Manabu
M
Nakata
Department of Surgery, Koganei Central Hospital, Koganei 2-4-3, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan.
Umehachi
U
Mitsuhashi
Department of Surgery, Koganei Central Hospital, Koganei 2-4-3, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan.
Masahiro
M
Tanaka
Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
Yoshikazu
Y
Yasuda
Catheter embolus; Central venous catheter; Internal jugular vein; Interventional radiology