[Abnormal x-ray finding after central venous catheterization]

Central venous catheter placement can cause a variety of complications, such as catheter fracture, loss of the guide wire and embolization. In the case reported a large bore central venous catheter was used in a 32-year-old patient undergoing surgery for vertebral body fracture of the thoracic spine. After a complication-free surgical procedure the post-operative x-ray showed an abnormal finding. A piece of the guide wire was suspected to have been left in the patient. However, this possibility could be ruled out by the anesthesiologist who inserted the catheter. With an additional x-ray and CT scan of an identical catheter it could then be demonstrated that the abnormal finding was caused by polyurethane pins which are integrated in the catheter.