Kasuistik: Unklare obere einflussstauung beim mammakarzinom

History and clinical findings: The authors report on a patient who presented to the medical emergency room with upper thoracic inlet syndrome following post-operative radio-chemotherapy treatment for left-sided breast cancer, six months previously. Based on the history and radiographic findings a complete port-induced thrombotic occlusion of the superior vena cava was diagnosed. Methods: The authors present local standards for handling of port systems. Discussion: Port systems allow easy and safe venous access and facilitate the treatment of chronically ill patients. In the face of growing numbers of patients with implanted port systems, optimized handling and care of these systems, and awareness of risks (e.g. catheter occlusion, thrombosis, and infection), and recognition of complications is becoming increasingly important.