Detection of an embolized central venous catheter fragment with endobronchial ultrasound

An 84‐year‐old woman underwent Convex‐probe Endobronchial Ultrasound (CP‐EBUS) for 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose avid subcarinal lymphadenopathy on Positron Emission Tomogram (PET) scan. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration of the subcarinal lymph node revealed squamous cell lung carcinoma. A small hyperechoic rounded density was noted inside the lumen of the azygous vein. Based on chest computed tomography findings and her clinical history, this was felt to be a broken fragment of a peripherally inserted central catheter, which was placed for intravenous antibiotics, a few months prior to this presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever CP‐EBUS description of a broken fragment of central venous catheter.

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