Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Friday, June 20, 2008 ljarvis1956 asks

Q: Broken catheter - pain pump - should displaced catheter be removed?

I had a pain pump implanted the end of October and a recent CT scan w/contrast has shown the catheter has fractured in the spine and a 2-3" section has slide down to the base of my spine.  Is there any risk to leaving the section that has become displaced in my spine?  The CT scan also showed a possible hernation of the disc at the L5-S1 level.  I had this disc fused in 2005.  I have definitely had increased pain the spine but I don't know if the pain could be from the displaced catheter or the disc.  Thanks.

 

Linda, FL

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6/21/08 12:27am

No, not unless it is causing neurological issues, there is an increased risk of infection, or you are developing a CSF hygroma (a leakage of spinal fluid behind the spine through the catheter fragment causing a collection of fluid under the skin).

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