[Percutaneous removal of intravascular fragments from infusion, angiography and cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheters with the loop-snare technic].

Intravascular loss of catheter fragments (for infusion, angiographic, or CSF shunting purposes) represents a serious complication. There is a high morbidity rate and even mortality when the foreign body remains within the vascular system. Nonsurgical percutaneous removal of 16 catheter fragments from the venous side and 1 Gianturco coil from the abdominal aorta by use of a catheter sheath introducer system and the loop-snare technique is reported. If there is no local thrombosis, fragment recovery is relatively easy. Surgical intervention should be resorted to only when percutaneous removal turns out to be impossible.