[Interventional radiological imaging and treatment of port catheter dysfunctions]

To evaluate the impact of interventional radiological imaging and treatment of central venous port catheter complications.

In this retrospective analysis 429 port catheter dysfunctions were evaluated in 393 port catheter systems for a total of 389 patients over a period of 10 years. The study included 193 (49.1 %) patients with radiologically implanted port catheter systems and 200 (50.9 %) referred patients with surgically implanted port systems. Port catheter dysfunctions were subdivided into early and late complications as well as into non-thrombotic and thrombotic events. After administration of contrast medium, the port system was visualized using digital subtraction angiography. Data were retrospectively collected from the in-house databases and then analyzed descriptively.

429 contrast media injections via port catheters were performed in 393 port catheter systems. There were 359 (83.7 %) late complications and 70 (16.3 %) early complications. In 299 (69.7 %) cases thrombotic events occurred and 130 (30.3 %) non-thrombotic events were recorded. The most common reason for contrast media injection via port catheter system was port catheter-related thrombosis in 269 (62.7 %) cases. 70 (16.3 %) catheter migrations and 30 (7.0 %) fibrin sheath formations were detected. 18 (4.2 %) port needle malfunctions could be resolved through needle exchange. All 15 (3.5 %) catheter disconnections had to be revised in all cases. Also six port explantations were performed in 6 (1.4 %) catheter fractures.

The possibilities of angiographic imaging and interventional radiological correction of port catheter dysfunctions must be exploited fully in order to avoid premature port explantation.