Recovery of intralipid from lumbar puncture after migration of saphenous vein catheter

Abstract

A term female infant was admitted to the intensive care unit with the diagnosis of tetralogy of Faliot with critical pulmonary stenosis. On the seventh day of life a long saphenous line was inserted that remained without complications until seven days later when the infant appeared septic. A lumbar puncture demonstrated the presence of intralipid in the cerebrospinal fluid that we interpreted as due to migration of the saphenous catheter. The child had an uneventful recovery.