A rare cause of abdominal pain: Catheter in the middle hepatic vein

• Published in: Hemodialysis international 2016-04, Vol.20 (2), p.E18-E20
• Main Authors: Akturk, Yeliz, Ozbal Gunes, Serra, Akturk, Okan Murat, Akcalar, Seray, Hekimoglu, Baki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain - etiology; Abdominal Pain - therapy; Aged; Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Female; Hemodialysis catheter; hepatic vein; Hepatic Veins - pathology; Humans; malposition; Renal Dialysis - methods; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic - therapy
• ISSN: 1492-7535; 1542-4758
• DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12381

Hemodialysis catheters are vital for chronic renal failure patients. Permanent tunneled dialysis catheters may be inserted through the jugular, subclavian, and femoral veins. In this paper, we aimed to present the computed tomography findings of a chronic renal failure patient who had referred our clinic with abdominal pain and dyspnea symptoms. This patient had a formerly inserted hemodialysis catheter for chronic renal failure and her catheter was found to be extending towards the middle hepatic vein with the tip leaning onto the parenchyma. Hemodialysis catheters can provide instant vascular access and can also be used for the consecutive procedures. Permanent hemodialysis catheters are ideal for long‐term use when placing an arteriovenous fistula is contraindicated or is no longer possible under conditions like advanced heart failure, peripheral artery disease or short life expectancy. The internal jugular, subclavian, the femoral veins, and the inferior vena cava can be used for catheter insertion. The tip of the catheters inserted in the neck or the thorax must extend to the vena cava superior. Catheter malposition may both lead to fatal outcomes and ineffective dialysis. It is important to obtain chest X‐rays after the procedure, particularly to detect catheter malposition.