Fig. 10
From: Complications of central venous port systems: a pictorial review
Catheter pinch-off, disconnection, and fracture. a, b Catheter pinch-off with subsequent fracture. a Chest radiographs show a slight kink and pinch-off of the catheter at the thoracic inlet (between clavicle and first rib). b Five months later, a flow confirmation study shows extravasation at the thoracic inlet (due to fracture). Incidental note is made of the catheter tip in the right atrium. c Catheter disconnection in another patient: the entire catheter has gone off and embolized in the heart (large arrow). Only the subcutaneous fibrous tunnel is opacified with contrast (small arrows). d–f Fracture of catheter and percutaneous removal. d After explantation of a port system, a catheter fragment is still visible (arrow). e Via a right femoral vein access a snare is advanced toward the catheter tip. f After pulling the snare tight around the catheter (arrow), it can be safely removed