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#36507 Lung ultrasound after central venous catheter cannulation: when there’s more than air – a case report
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  1. Noelia Carrillo-Alfonso1,
  2. Sérgio Menezes Pina2,
  3. Joana Lopo3,
  4. Tânia Capelas2,
  5. Rita Domingos3,
  6. João Nunes2,
  7. Ana Sara Monteiro3 and
  8. Eva Patricia Lima Lourenço2
  1. 1Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
  2. 2Serviço de Medicina Intensiva, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
  3. 3Serviço de Medicina 1, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, Faro, Portugal

Abstract

Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant (see information at the bottom of this page)

Background and Aims Lung ultrasound has become standard practice following central venous catheter cannulation to detect pneumothorax. In addition to this complication, we present a case report of an iatrogenic subclavian artery hematoma visualized through thoracic ultrasound, which was not identified in the chest radiography.

Methods We present the case of a 58-year-old woman, ASA III, diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer resulting in intestinal occlusion and contained perforation. The patient was proposed for a right colectomy and a totally implantable central venous access device for chemoterapy. A balanced general anesthesia technique was employed, and an ultrasound-guided bilateral rectus sheath single-shot block was performed for analgesic purposes. The central venous implantable catheter placement needed several attempts, with iatrogenic subclavian artery puncture. After successful catheter placement, subsequent post-procedure lung ultrasound revealed the presence of lung sliding with hypoechoic displacement of the visceral and parietal pleura at the level of the first and second ribs on the same side as the procedure, compatible with an hematoma. A thoracic radiograph performed thereafter did not identify hemothorax; however, it did identify improper final positioning of the tip of catheter, specifically at the contralateral subclavian vein.

Abstract #36507 Figure 1

Hypoechoic displacement of the visceral and parietal pleura at the level of the first and second ribs, on the ipsilateral side as the iatrogenic subclavian artery puncture

Conclusions This case report highlights the utility of lung ultrasound in identifying complications of central venous catheterization, such as hematoma following iatrogenic artery puncture. While thoracic radiography remains the standard for tip localization and exclusion of pneumothorax, lung ultrasound serves as an additional valuable tool in detecting other potential complications.

  • POCUS
  • Lung ultrasound
  • subclavian artery puncture
  • Central Venous Catheter cannulation

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