Radiological evaluation of complications of implantable venous access port.

Objective: Clinical signs and symptoms sometimes throw suspicion on functional complications and venous thrombosis due to implantable venous access ports. Objective was to determine frequency of these problems using radiologic imaging. Methods: 61 patients were examined by means of fluoroscopy. If indication was given we injected radiopaque (contrast) medium. In the case of suspected vascular thrombosis the radiological finding was verified by sonography, phlebography or by venous magnetic resonance imaging angiography. Results:Altogether 46 complications were documented in 37 out of 61 examined patients (61%). Occlusions of port-catheter were proved in 24 cases. It was the radiologically most frequently recorded complication (52%;) and found coincident with other problems in 9 patients (37 %;). Pain frequently indicates break of catheters. Implantation of catheters into jugular and axillary veins predisposes to break of catheters just as port-catheters lateral implanted into subclavian veins ("pinch-off-sign"). Conclusions: Functional tests of Venous access systems using fluoroscopy and phlebography give information that helps to decide if clinically problematic port-systems should be used furthermore. Directions of catheter which are predestined to complications should be avoided.