Osteomyelitis of the clavicle secondary to infected Hickman catheter.

A patient receiving home parenteral nutrition developed osteomyelitis of the clavicle associated with a Hickman catheter which had been functioning for 14 months. The infection was treated with bone curettage, parenteral antibiotics, and catheter removal. Although this has been a reported complication of subclavian vein catheters, this is the first reported case associated with a Hickman catheter.