Background: To investigate the role of upper extremity radionuclide venography as a potential diagnostic modality in the assessment of venous thrombosis associated with a Port-A catheter.
Methods: Fourteen symptomatic patients who had received Port-A catheter implantation were enrolled. A dynamic nuclear medicine flow study was performed with intravenous administration of Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin to both upper extremities. Imaging patterns of the venous system were categorized as patency, partial obstruction, and total occlusion.
Results: The findings of the dynamic images clearly demonstrated clinical problems. Three patients were free of a definite venous flow change. Three patients had partial obstruction of venous return. A significant cut-off of venous return was demonstrated in 8 patients, and total occlusions were hence diagnosed. All patients underwent this procedure smoothly without any complication.
Conclusion: These results suggest that upper extremity radionuclide venography is an easily performed and effective method for diagnosing Port-A catheter thrombosis in clinical practice.