Hemodialysis catheter - related thrombosis of the internal jugular vein in an elderly diabetic woman: a case report and review of literature

• Main Authors: Oghenekaro Godwin Egbi, Sulaiman Dazumi Ahmed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAMJ 2020-08-01
• Series: PAMJ Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: catheter; hemodialysis; internal jugular vein; thrombosis
• Online Access: https://www.clinical-medicine.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/3/168/pdf/168.pdf

Internal jugular vein (IJV) catheters are commonly used as vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) patients. They may have certain drawbacks, including infections and thrombotic complications, some of which could be life-threatening. We presented a 75 year old diabetic woman on maintenance dialysis who developed right sided neck and facial swelling. She had been receiving HD via a tunneled jugular venous catheter inserted on the same side 4 months prior. A Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography revealed a thrombus in the right IJV. She was managed conservatively with anticoagulants including heparin, warfarin and apixapan with resolution of symptoms. If diagnosed promptly, catheter related thrombosis can be managed with good outcome. However, to reduce the incidence of thrombotic complications in chronic HD patients, arteriovenous fistula (AVF) should be preferably used.