BRACHIAL-PLEXUS NEUROPATHY FOLLOWING ATTEMPT AT SUBCLAVIAN VEIN CATHETERIZATION - CASE-REPORT

Background and Objectives. The subclavian vein is often used for place ment of central venous catheters, and the possibility exists of nerve injury as a complication of the procedure. Methods. A 58-year-old woma n undergoing subclavian central catheter placement sustained a brachia l plexus injury. A review of the English-language literature revealed no reports of brachial plexus injury during placement of a subclavian central catheter, although three reports were found in the non-English -language literature. Results. The anatomic relationship of the subcla vian artery, vein, and brachial plexus at the supraclavicular triangle is described, and suggestions are given as to how to avoid this probl em. Conclusions. Brachial plexus injury can occur with placement of su bdavian central catheters, but proper technique should minimize this c omplication.