CTICasesCalcified Fibrin Sheath from Central Venous Catheter
Imaging findings
Chest CT demonstrates two parallel curvilinear calcifications in the expected location of a prior central venous catheter in the superior vena cava, representing a densely calcified fibrin sheath. The appearance mimics a retained catheter fragment but is distinguished by its tubular parallel-line calcium morphology.
Key takeaways
Fibrin sheaths form around indwelling central venous catheters and, when long-standing, can calcify after catheter removal, leaving behind calcified tubular structures in the SVC or brachiocephalic veins. On CT these appear as two parallel linear calcifications mimicking a retained catheter fragment. They are benign but may embolize to the pulmonary arteries as cylindrical calcifications, where they can be identified by their tubular morphology.
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