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Open Access Case Report

Internal jugular vein thrombosis presenting as a painful neck mass due to a spontaneous dislocated subclavian port catheter as long-term complication: a case report

Marcel Binnebösel*, Jochen Grommes, Karsten Junge, Sonja Göbner, Volker Schumpelick and Son Truong

Author Affiliations

Department of Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Germany

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:7991 doi:10.4076/1757-1626-2-7991

Published: 9 June 2009

Abstract

Central venous access devices are extensively used for long-term chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition. However, there are some possible immediate, early, and late complications related to the implantation technique, care, and maintenance. We present the uncommon occurrence of a thrombosis of the internal jugular vein due to a spontaneous migration of a Port-A-Cath catheter into the ipsilateral internal jugular vein as a delayed complication of a central venous access catheter implanted for chemotherapy delivery. A review of the literature is given, and the factors responsible for this unusual complication will be discussed.