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Formation of a calcified "cast" in a long-term indwelling central venous catheter: a case report

Duncan B Hughes1, Brant W Ullery, Nitsana Spigland

  • 1Department of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA. duh2001@med.cornell.edu <duh2001@med.cornell.edu>

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|November 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Calcified thrombus formation around central venous catheters is rare, especially without total parenteral nutrition. This case highlights an unusual calcified cast in a patient receiving chemotherapy via a central venous catheter.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Catheter-related central venous thrombosis (CVC thrombosis) is a known complication of long-term indwelling central venous catheters.
  • Risk factors for CVC thrombosis include total parenteral nutrition (TPN), catheter location, and duration of use.
  • Organized calcification of CVC thrombi is exceptionally rare, particularly in patients not receiving TPN.

Observation:

  • A patient developed an extensive, organized, calcified thrombus.
  • The thrombus formed a cast-like structure surrounding a central venous catheter.
  • The catheter was used exclusively for chemotherapy administration, with no TPN use.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first reported instance of organized, calcified thrombus formation around a central venous catheter in a patient not receiving total parenteral nutrition.
  • The findings suggest that factors other than TPN, such as prolonged catheterization for chemotherapy, may contribute to thrombus organization and calcification.

Implications:

  • This report expands the understanding of potential complications associated with long-term central venous catheter use in oncology patients.
  • It suggests a need to consider unusual thrombus formations in patients with long-dwelling catheters, even in the absence of typical risk factors like TPN.
  • Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind calcified thrombus formation in non-TPN patients.

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