Central Venous Catheter Misplacement Presenting With Parotid Gland Swelling: A Case Report

Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is a routine procedure in ICUs but can be associated with various complications, including misplacement and thrombosis. We present a rare case of parotid gland enlargement due to catheter-related thrombosis of the external jugular vein following ultrasound-guided placement through the subclavian vein in an 84-year-old woman. This case was managed with systemic anticoagulation and catheter removal. It emphasizes the importance of confirming correct CVC tip positioning and highlights the need for a post-procedure chest X-ray.