The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Jul 2004
Review Case ReportsPinch-off syndrome: case report and collective review of the literature.
Pinch-off syndrome (POS) occurs when a long-term central venous catheter is compressed between the clavicle and the first rib. The compression can cause transient obstruction of the catheter and may result in a tear or even complete transsection and embolization of the catheter. POS may be preceded by a finding of "pinch-off sign" on chest X-ray (CXR) films in which the catheter is indented as it passes beneath the clavicle. ⋯ Treatment of POS is removal of the catheter. If the tip of the catheter has embolized, it can usually be retrieved percutaneously with a transvenous snare. POS can be prevented by using the internal jugular vein for access rather than the subclavian vein.