A CASE OF MIGRATION OF A CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INTO THE RIGHT INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN CAUSING A LOCAL PHLEBITIS

We describe a patient associated with a local phlebitis caused by a migrated tip of a central venous catheter. A central venous catheter was placed via a right subclavian venipuncture. Postoperative chest X-ray confirmed the tip of the catheter to be in the superior vena cava. Twelve days later the catheter tip migrated into the right internal jugular vein causing a local phlebitis. Migration of the catheter tip is a rare but potential complication in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.