Neck Swelling After Total Parenteral Nutrition
Abstract
A 72-year-old woman with severe malnutrition on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through a left upper extremity peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line presented to the emergency department (ED) with 4 hours of swelling around her neck and chest after initiating feeds. She reported one episode of fever the day prior. She was hemodynamically stable. Physical examination revealed swelling of the chest and anterior neck with palpable fluctuance, without erythema or crepitus. Laboratory results demonstrated leukocytosis, elevated procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Central Venous Catheters and Hemodialysis
Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases
Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 100346–100346
- Publication date
- 26 February 2026
- Language
- EN