Azygos vein dialysis catheter placement using the translumbar approach in a patient with inferior vena cava occlusion

Abstract

We describe percutaneous, translumbar placement of a 14-Fr dialysis catheter into an ascending lumbar vein to achieve tip position in an enlarged azygos vein. The patient had thrombosis of all traditional vascular sites, as well as the inferior vena cava. This catheter functioned well for 7 months before fatal catheter-related infection developed. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.