Fracture and pulmonary embolism from a tunneled catheter fragment: case report

Florencia Brust, Servicio de Nefrología, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Oscar Escobar, Servicio de Nefrología, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Jennifer Nichols, Servicio de Nefrología, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Gianna Mastroianni, Servicio de Nefrología, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Vicente Campolo-Girard, Servicio de Nefrología, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Paola N. Serrano-Riveros, Servicio de Diagnóstico por Imágenes, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina
Agostina Ailen-Vernales, Servicio de Diagnóstico por Imágenes, Clínica Pasteur, Neuquén Capital, Argentina

We describe a case of a ruptured tip of a tunneled catheter for hemodialysis with subsequent embolization towards the apical segment of the pulmonary artery and pulmonary infarction. The patient presented with dyspnea and stitch-like pain in the side, initially diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. The catheter fragment was visualized by CT, where its migration towards the apical segment was confirmed. The catheter was then removed and the patient continued dialysis through an AVF (arteriovenous fistula).

Keywords: Renal dialysis. Catheter. Indwelling. Pulmonary infarction.