Accidental cannulation of a femoral central venous catheter into the iliolumbar vein: incidental detection by bone scintigraphy.

Central venous catheterization at the femoral site is associated with higher complication rates of infections and thrombosis than at the jugular or subclavian sites. However, the procedure of insertion at the femoral site is considered safer. We present a unique but dangerous positioning of a left femoral central venous catheter into the iliolumbar vein. We were aware of this accidental cannulation by chance when our patient underwent bone scintigraphy. Although a few cases were reported about accidental cannulation into the ascending lumbar vein, this is the first case where a femoral central venous catheter was misplaced into the iliolumbar vein.