An unusual complication of subclavian vein catheterization for total parenteral nutrition

A 25-year-old woman with diabetic ketoacidosis and esophagitis was given total parenteral nutrition to improve her nutritional status. A central venous catheter inserted in the right subclavian vein was well tolerated for three weeks, when infection developed. The line was replaced by a left subclavian line. Within an hour the patient complained of back pain. A chest x-ray film showed that the tip of the catheter was to the left of the mediastinum and that left pleural effusion was present. The line was removed and 1,500 cc of fluid was removed from the left pleural space. The pleural fluid cleared gradually over several days and the patient became asymptomatic.