Inadvertent placement of a central venous catheter into the spinal canal

Abstract

We report the case of a misplacement of a jugular venous catheter into the dorsal subarachnoid space through an intervertebral foramen. The error was demonstrated on plain radiograph, and on both radiograph and computed tomographic examination after injection of ionic iodinated contrast material. The catheter was removed and the patient recovered with no neurological sequelae.