Vertebrojugular Arteriovenous Fistula Following Failed Central Venous Catheter Insertion: A Rare Case

TL;DR

A rare case of a vascular abnormality caused by a failed central venous catheter insertion is presented, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare clinical case of iatrogenic vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula following central venous catheter failure.

Findings

A 50-year-old male developed a vertebrojugular AVF after a failed catheter insertion.

Early diagnosis using Doppler, MRI, and angiography improved patient outcomes.

Iatrogenic injury is a potential cause of rare vascular anomalies like AVFs.

Abstract

Vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare vascular anomalies characterized by an abnormal communication between the extracranial vertebral artery and the internal jugular vein. They may arise from trauma, iatrogenic injury, or, rarely, occur spontaneously. We present a 50-year-old male who sustained an iatrogenic injury and developed progressive pulsatile swelling on the right side of the neck, which raised suspicion of an underlying vascular lesion. Subsequent carotid Doppler, MRI with non-contrast angiography, and digital subtraction angiography revealed a vertebrojugular AVF. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for AVFs in failed central catheter insertions and highlights the effectiveness of early diagnosis in improving patient outcomes.

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