What question did this study set out to answer?

To clarify the diagnosis of a tubular calcified thrombus in the superior vena cava using multimodal imaging.

May 29, 2026Open Access

Tubular Calcified SVC Thrombus Mimicking Retained Catheter: Critical Insights from Multimodal Imaging

Key Points

To clarify the diagnosis of a tubular calcified thrombus in the superior vena cava using multimodal imaging.
Patient underwent chest non-contrast CT to assess the lesion.
Sputum culture performed to identify infection post-surgery.
CT revealed a hyperdense lesion in the SVC, initially misidentified as a retained catheter.
Sputum culture identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam.

Abstract

A 59-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with intermittent palpitations and chest tightness for 1 year underwent bioprosthetic aortic and mitral valve replacement for severe mitral and moderate aortic regurgitation. On postoperative day 7, she developed fever (38.4 °C) and leukocytosis (12.6 × 109/L); sputum culture grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa (sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam). Chest non-contrast CT showed a 341 HU tubular hyperdense lesion in the superior vena cava (SVC), initially suspected to be a retained catheter (Figure A; Cover images).

Tubular Calcified SVC Thrombus Mimicking Retained Catheter: Critical Insights from Multimodal Imaging

Key Points

Abstract

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