Bronchial erosion and migration of Port-A-Cath, a case report

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports Vol. 60; pp. 376 - 378
• Main Authors: Mohamad, Mahseeri, Al-Tawarah, Tayseer Ahmad Sabbah, Aladaileh, Mohammad Alqasem Ayed Odeh, Khalaf, Azzam Hunsi, Hawasheen, Hebah Hisham, Abu-Abeeleh, Mahmoud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Central line; Erosion; Migration; Port-A-Cath; Venous access; Central line; Venous access; Port-A-Cath; Migration; Erosion
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.06.049

•Central venous lines are used to obtain a long lasting vascular access for total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, as well as obtaining blood samples. They are widely used in hematology/oncology patients.•Complications of the insertion of Port-A-Catheters may include thrombotic and infectious complications. Catheter migration is relatively a rare complication but potentially life threatening.•Clinicians should recognize the development of bronchial erosion upon clinical suspicion confirmed by radiological investigations.•Treatment is tailored at removing the catheter and correcting any possible complication due to migration.
Several possible complications are known to be related to central venous catheters.
A 20-year-old lady had a catheter (Port-a-Cath) inserted in the left subclavian vein to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. One year after insertion, on receiving intravenous chemotherapy the patient began coughing. Imaging studies showed the tip of the catheter to be crossing the superior mediastinum into the upper lobe of the right lung. The patient was taken to the operating room and the Port-a-Cath catheter was removed intact.
Migration is a rare complication associated with insertion of these lines. Accompanying erosion into an airway is even rarer.
Any unexplained deterioration in the respiratory system should raise suspicion of catheter migration and bronchial erosion.