Surgical retrieval of PICC-related right atrial thrombus in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used in cancer patients for administering chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and nutrients. PICC-related thrombi are not uncommon and may result in pulmonary embolism and the formation of thrombi in the right atrium. The latter are associated with an increased risk of subsequent morbidity or mortality because of their potential for embolization in the pulmonary vasculature.

A 16-year-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was admitted to our hospital after an echocardiographic examination revealed a ring-like structure in the right atrium that was still present after 6 months' anticoagulation treatment with aspirin. The boy had had a PICC inserted 2 years previously for chemotherapy; the PICC was intact and successfully removed 18 months after insertion when chemotherapy is finished. Subsequent computer tomography and radiography differentiated right atrial ring-shaped mass with a diameter of approximately 15 mm. Cardiac surgery was performed to remove the mass which was found to be a calcified thrombus.

Although this is a rare occurrence, recognition of the possibility of a calcified thrombus may minimize the misdiagnosis of PICC-related thrombus and allow surgical retrieval if the thrombus is sufficiently large.