"Spontaneous" catheter fracture and embolization of a totally implanted venous access port.

A case of "spontaneous" fracture of the catheter of a totally implanted venous access device is reported. The distal part of the catheter migrated into a pulmonary artery branch and could not be retrieved. The cause and consequences of this rare complication are discussed. It is emphasized that the integrity of a totally implanted venous access device should be ascertained before cytostatic agents are administered.