A case of a migrating central venous catheter in the internal jugular vein diagnosed using ultrasonography in a patient with right-sided neck pain during chemotherapy

We report a case of a migrating central venous (CV) catheter with thrombosis in the internal jugular vein that was diagnosed using ultrasonography in a patient complaining of neck pain during chemotherapy. A 57-year-old man with distant metastasis at 1 year after laparoscopic Hartmann operation for rectal cancer was transported to the emergency department by ambulance complaining of severe right-sided neck pain. On that day, his 6th course of chemotherapy with modified FOLFOX6 (levofolinic acid, 5-fluorouracil [5-FU], oxaliplatin [L-OHP]) and panitumumab was administered using a CV port that had been placed 3 months previously from the right subclavian vein in the superior vena cava, and verified using radiography. Cervical ultrasonography revealed line migration, with a surrounding low echoic area without a Doppler signal in the right internal jugular vein. This migration was also observed on the radiograph. These findings indicated migration of the CV catheter with thrombosis. After admission, the CV catheter was removed, a new one was inserted from the left subclavian vein in the superior vena cava, and a direct oral anticoagulant was administered to treat the thrombosis. Two days later, his neck pain, which was caused by phlebitis that was probably induced by L-OHP or continuous 5-FU, disappeared. We should consider the possibility of CV catheter issues, including migration or damage, when patients experience neck pain during chemotherapy. Additionally, the present case demonstrated the utility of cervical ultrasonography in diagnosing CV catheter migration, as well as thrombosis.