Central Venous Catheter Penetrating the Spinal Canal via the Spinal Foramen: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ann Vasc Surg. 2022 Mar:80:393.e1-393.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.09.027. Epub 2021 Nov 12.

Abstract

The insertion of a neck central venous catheter (CVC) is a common procedure in medical practice; however, malposition and complications frequently occur. A 66-year-old woman had CVC inserted through the right internal jugular vein. CVC malposition was observed on chest radiography and computed tomography. The catheter was accidentally inserted via the vertebral vein and had entered the C6-C7 intervertebral foramen, penetrating the spinal canal with the tip at the T2 epidural space. We present this rare CVC complication to demonstrate the possibility of incorrect insertion of the catheter and penetration of the spinal canal, possibly causing neuronal damage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects*
  • Central Venous Catheters*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Errors*
  • Pneumorrhachis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumorrhachis / etiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Spinal Canal / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Canal / injuries*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed