"Pinch-off syndrome": an unusual complication following central venous port implantation

Abstract

Pinch-off syndrome is a rare complication which develops due to compression of the venous catheter between the clavicle and the first rib with subclavius muscle and costoclavicular ligament. Rarely embolization of venous catheter fragments to the pulmonary vasculature (0.2-1%) occurs due to trauma resulting from compression. Regular postoperative X-rays can help determine whether there are compression findings. To minimize the risk of catheter compression, a more lateral insertion to the subclavian vein may be used or cephalic vein cut-down may be performed. Also the pinch-off syndrome may be avoided by using the internal jugular vein. In this article we present a case of a patient who had a terminal stage colon tumor and catheter pulmonary embolization from an implanted venous port, together with a review of the literature.