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Catheter-related gas-forming suppurative thrombophlebitis

International Journal of Emergency Medicine volume 17, Article number: 33 (2024) Cite this article

Abstract

Catheter-related suppurative thrombophlebitis (CRST) is a complication of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The microbiology of CRST is similar with the microbiology of CRBSI, but Clostridium perfringens that causes gas gangrene is a rare pathogen of CRBSI and CRST. We present a case of catheter-related gas-forming suppurative thrombophlebitis due to Clostridium perfringens infection. Gas-forming thrombus around the catheter can be useful findings for the early diagnosis of catheter-related clostridial thrombophlebitis.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted to a hospital owing to a 3-month history of anorexia. Seven days before, a central venous catheter was inserted in the right femoral vein for total parenteral nutrition. She was referred to our hospital owing to a 2-day history of fever. Ultrasonography detected thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Further evaluation was performed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). CECT revealed the presence of columnar gas in a thrombus around the catheter tip, extending from the right common iliac vein to the inferior vena cava (Figs. 1 and 2). Blood and removed catheter tip cultures were all positive for Clostridium perfringens. She received treatment with intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam for two weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin for two weeks. Anticoagulation therapy was continued for three months, and thrombus was dissolved. Recurrence was not observed following treatment.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Axial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showing round gas in a thrombus (red arrow) in the inferior vena cava (blue arrow)

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Sagittal CECT showing columnar gas (8.5 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length) in a thrombus (red arrows) and the central catheter tip in the right common iliac vein (yellow arrow)

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Diagnosis

Catheter-related gas-forming suppurative thrombophlebitis due to Clostridium perfringens infection

The risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter-related thrombosis was higher for femoral compared with subclavian and internal jugular [1]. Catheter-related suppurative thrombophlebitis (CRST) is a relatively uncommon complication of CRBSI [2], but should be ruled out [3]. The common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus [2]. In the current case, Clostridium perfringens probably invaded the percutaneous tract or was carried hematogenously to the catheter because of bacterial translocation. Therefore, thrombus formation around the catheter was infected with Clostridium perfringens, resulting in quite rare form of central line-associated bloodstream infection, gas-forming suppurative thrombophlebitis. Our case highlights that gas-forming thrombus around the catheter can be useful findings that early diagnose catheter-related clostridial thrombophlebitis.

Availability of data and materials

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

CRST:

Catheter-related suppurative thrombophlebitis

CRBSI:

Catheter-related bloodstream infection

CECT:

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography

References

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Tetsuhiro Takei for his constructive comments on the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no specific fund from anywhere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Saku Central Hospital Advanced Care Center, Nakagomi, Saku, Nagano, 3400-28, Japan

    Yasuyoshi Miyamura, Takeshi Shimazaki & Kunihiko Okada

Authors
  1. Yasuyoshi Miyamura
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  2. Takeshi Shimazaki
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  3. Kunihiko Okada
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the Image report design. The first draft of the manuscript as written by Yasuyoshi Miyamura. Takeshi Shimazaki, and Kunihiko Okada contributed to prepare Fig. 1–2 and commented on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yasuyoshi Miyamura.

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Consent for publication was obtained from patient’s family for publication of this study and accompanying images in accordance with the journal’s patient consent policy.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Miyamura, Y., Shimazaki, T. & Okada, K. Catheter-related gas-forming suppurative thrombophlebitis. Int J Emerg Med 17, 33 (2024). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12245-024-00602-8

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  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12245-024-00602-8

Keywords

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

ISSN: 1865-1380

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