Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume 69, Issue 8 , Pages 358-363, August 2006

Application of Upper Extremity Radionuclide Venography as a Diagnostic Approach for Port-A Catheter Thrombosis

  • Yuh-Feng Wang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nuclear Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Yuh-Feng Wang, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, 2, Minsheng Road, Dalin Township, Chiayi 622, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Shiou-Chi Cherng

      Affiliations

    • Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Jainn-Shiun Chiu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nuclear Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Yu-Cheih Su

      Affiliations

    • Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • ,
  • Yu-Tsan Sheu

      Affiliations

    • Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.
    • Department of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Received 14 December 2005; accepted 5 June 2006.

Background

To investigate the role of upper extremity radionuclide venography as a potential diagnostic modality in the assessment of venous thrombosis associated with a Port-A catheter.

Methods

Fourteen symptomatic patients who had received Port-A catheter implantation were enrolled. A dynamic nuclear medicine flow study was performed with intravenous administration of Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin to both upper extremities. Imaging patterns of the venous system were categorized as patency, partial obstruction, and total occlusion.

Results

The findings of the dynamic images clearly demonstrated clinical problems. Three patients were free of a definite venous flow change. Three patients had partial obstruction of venous return. A significant cut-off of venous return was demonstrated in 8 patients, and total occlusions were hence diagnosed. All patients underwent this procedure smoothly without any complication.

Conclusion

These results suggest that upper extremity radionuclide venography is an easily performed and effective method for diagnosing Port-A catheter thrombosis in clinical practice.

Key Words:  radionuclide angiography , thrombosis , upper extremity , vascular access port

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PII: S1726-4901(09)70273-4

doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(09)70273-4

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume 69, Issue 8 , Pages 358-363, August 2006

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