Percutaneous retrieval of intravascular venous foreign bodies in children.

BACKGROUND

The use of vascular lines both venous and arterial in children has significantly increased in the last decade with the potential risk that an intravascular device may become an intravascular foreign body. Percutaneous retrieval by interventional radiology has become an accepted method of foreign body removal.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to describe a single center's experience of percutaneous intravascular foreign body removal in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2000 and December 2008, 18 patients underwent percutaneous intravascular foreign body retrieval as a complication of venous access devices. The mean catheter days were 181.2 catheter days (1 to 1,146 days). A retrospective review was performed and demographic data and clinical information were recorded, including type, duration, location of access device, embolization location and retrieval technique.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 19 (94.7%) retrievals were performed with single-loop snares and 1/19 (5.3%) was a triple-loop snare. Seventeen of 19 (89.5%) retrievals were successful. One unsuccessful retrieval was successfully removed by surgery, while the other was retained.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous intravascular foreign body retrieval by interventional radiologists is a safe and effective method of retrieving embolized fragments from venous access devices in pediatric patients.