Bilateral Haemothorax Complicating Internal Jugular Catheter Placement as Access for Haemodialysis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Double-lumen catheters inserted into the internal jugular vein are increasingly being used as vascular access for haemodialysis in Nigeria. We report here a case of bilateral haemothorax following placement of a double-lumen catheter in the internal jugular vein, a rare but potentially fatal complication. The patient was on admission on account of acute kidney injury and had developed a right lower limb deep vein thrombosis following repeated cannulation of the femoral vein for dialysis access. He developed right-sided chest pain and worsening dyspnoea 12 hours after a double lumen was inserted into his right internal jugular vein. A chest x-ray revealed bilateral pleural effusion which was found to be haemorrhagic on thoracocentesis. He responded well to bilateral, closed-tube thoracostomy drainage and transfusion with blood and fresh frozen plasma.