Parenteral nutrition extravasation into the abdominal wall mimicking an abscess

Abstract Objectives Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting for medication and nutrition administration. PICCs are easy to place and may remain inserted up to several weeks. Serious complications are rare. Cases of infection, dysfunction, thrombosis, malposition into other vessels, catheter migration, vessel erosion, perforation into pleura, pericardium, abdomen and even into the epidural space with extravasation have been reported [1, 2]. Case presentation We present the case of a preterm infant with a right leg inserted PICC with the tip supposedly being placed in the external iliac vein with further catheter migration into the abdominal wall during the course of treatment. Conclusions Our patient developed extravasation of lipid infusion, which was initially misinterpreted as an abscess due to signs of local inflammation.