A technique to retrieve an internalised embedded central venous catheter

Central venous catheters may become embedded due to the formation of adhesions between the indwelling catheter and the vein wall.

A 49-year-old patient with bacteraemia was referred for retrieval of an embedded internalised central venous dialysis catheter. Recently the catheter had been surgically ligated at the venotomy site internalising the intravascular catheter component, which precluded antegrade ballooning through the catheter hub.

Seldinger technique was used to access the catheter lumen within the left internal jugular vein and through and through access was established across the catheter. Retrograde endoluminal balloon dilation was performed to disrupt adhesions and free the catheter. The catheter was snared over the wire and removed from the right femoral vein.

This case report outlines an effective, minimally invasive retrieval method in a rare case of an embedded internalised central venous catheter.