Abstract
Totally implanted central venous access ports (TIAPs) are reportedly safe and well-accepted among cancer patients. In most
cases, TIAPs remain complication-free until treatment completion or death, with a complication rate of only 19% during the entire duration
of device usage. The present report describes the case of a rare complication of TIAP, peri-catheter fibrin sheath calcification mimicking a
retained catheter fragment. The present report would increase the awareness of this condition among medical professionals, which would prevent
unnecessary additional examinations or endovascular/surgical interventions. In addition, it is recommended to inquire the cancer patients
with low recurrence risk regarding TIAP removal after treatment completion to avoid the long-term complications of TIAPs, including
central venous thrombosis, stenosis, occlusion, and peri-catheter fibrin sheath calcifications.
Keywords:
Catheter, catheterization, central venous, vascular calcification
References
1Ignatov A, Hoffman O, Smith B, et al. An 11-year retrospective study of totally implanted central venous access ports: complications and patient satisfaction. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2009;35(3):241-246.
2Keehn A, Rabinowitz D, Williams SK, Taragin BH. Calcified central venous catheter fibrin sheath: case report and review of the literature. Clin Imaging. 2015;39(6):1130-1133.
3Sabbaghian MS, Rivera R, Ginsburg HB, Nadler EP. Calcified catheter "cast" masquerading as a retained catheter fragment after removal of an implanted venous access device. Pediatric Surgery International. 2007;23(9):927-930.
4van Bastelaar J, Janssen CH, de Bont E, Blijlevens NM, van Baren R. Densities in the left innominate vein after removal of an implantable venous device: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2012;6:180.
5Percarpio R, Chorney ET, Forauer AR. Catheter-related sheaths (CRS): pathophysiology and treatment strategies. Hemodialysis. 2013;700-718.
6Gonsalves CF, Eschelman DJ, Sullivan KL, DuBois N, Bonn J. Incidence of central vein stenosis and occlusion following upper extremity PICC and port placement. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2003;26(2):123-127.
7Anderson MA, Poenaru D, Kamal I. Calcified catheter "cast": a rare complication of indwelling central venous catheters in infants. Pediatr Surg Int. 1998;13(8):610-612.
8Hughes DB, Ullery BW, Spigland N. Formation of a calcified "cast" in a long-term indwelling central venous catheter: a case report. J Pediatr Surg. 2006;41(11):1927-1929.