The imaging studies shown are from 2 children with cancer who underwent placement of 9.6 French left subclavian central venous catheters (CVCs) to facilitate treatment. Fracture of the catheters with subsequent embolization of the distal fragment to the pulmonary arteries was noted at about 18 months after placement. Findings suggestive of impending fracture were missed in previous radiographs. In both cases, an interventional radiologist removed the fragment via percutaneous catheterization of the right femoral vein.

A 45-year-old man presented with pain in his left lower leg. Erythema and induration extended from the medial aspect of the lower extremity to a few centimeters proximal to the patella. The area was tender on palpation. Varicose veins were apparent on both legs. Venous Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) revealed a 4-cm thrombus with an anterior-posterior diameter of 4 mm and restriction of flow from the mid to distal great saphenous vein. Compressibility of the deep venous system of the legs was maintained without evidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Chest pain and dyspnea of acute onset prompted a 49-year-old man to seek urgent medical attention. Two months earlier, he had sustained fractures to the right arm and both ankles after a 25-ft fall. Ten days before presentation, the patient’s rehabilitation physician had discontinued daily enoxaparin because of improved mobility and a presumed decreased risk of thromboembolism.