migration of a central IV catheter into the pulmonary artery

Infant after

left lower extremity PICC removal which after measuring was found to be too short in length. AXR AP (left) and lateral (right) show a discontinuous catheter fragment in the left femoral and iliac veins.The diagnosis was peripherally inserted central venous catheter malfunction with the catheter having broken during removal with a retained catheter fragment in the left femoral and iliac veins.

Preschooler

with a central venous catheter that will no longer draw back. CXR AP when the catheter was placed one year ago (left) shows the tip of the catheter at the cavoatrial junction in correct position. CXR AP today (right) shows the catheter is now fractured and discontinuous and has embolized into the right atrium.The diagnosis was central venous catheter fracture.

School ager

who presents with back pain after having a central venous catheter replaced 5 months agoCXR AP shows the tip of the new catheter to be in appropriate location in the superior vena cava. There is a catheter fragment in the right lower lobe along with a large right pleural effusion. Axial CT with contrast of the chest shows the embolized catheter fragment in the periphery of the right lower lobe and to have eroded into the right pleural space, with an associated pleural effusion and atelectasis.The diagnosis was an embolized catheter fragment after catheter removal.

Infant who

has just had a right lower extremity PICC line removed which upon measuring was seen to be shorter than it should have been. AP radiograph of the right lower extremity shows a retained fragment of a PICC line in the posterior soft tissues of the right calf.The diagnosis was peripherally inserted catheter malfunction with a retained fragment of the removed PICC line in the right calf.