[Pinch-off syndrome]

Totally implantable central venous access devices, or ports, are commonly used for those patients which require long-term or continuum intravenous infusion therapy. We report a case of a rare complication related to them, called pinch-off syndrome, arising by the chronic compression of the central venous catheter between the clavicle and the first rib, with consequent mechanic obstruction of the catheter and eventual complete transection and embolization of a distal fragment of it. A chest radiograph, eventually with the injection of contrast through the catheter, is require when pain and/or swelling in the chest or shoulder at the side go the port occur at the time of infusion plus malfunction of it. The therapy of pinch-off syndrome is removal of the fractured or with embolism catheter and replacement of a new one more laterally to the previous approach.