Introduction : Catheter which strays in the ascending lumbar vein during femoral vein catheterization can cause complications such as retroperitoneal hematoma. However, not much is known of this phenomenon.
Methods : We retrospectively studied 107 patients who had indwelling femoral vein catheter in our hospital between March 2013 and April 2011.
Results : The catheter went straying in the ascending lumbar vein 11/110 times (10.0%) , 5/34 times (14.7%) on the left side, and 6/76 times (7.9%) on the right side. The possibility of the catheter straying was maximum when the catheter was displaced laterally or raised sharply towards the caudal side, as seen through abdominal radiographic examination.
Conclusion : Femoral central venous catheter misplacement in the ascending lumbar veins is fairly common. Tests such as additional abdominal CT or radiographs should be conducted if misplacement is suspected.

Purpose: We assessed the efficacy of a palliative care team (PCT) in improving quality of life (QOL) among Japanese cancer patients. Patients and methods: This prospective study involved adult patients treated in the Division of Respiratory Medicine and Medical Oncology/Hematology at Kobe University Hospital between November 1, 2009 and March 30, 2010. Every patient had requested intervention by the PCT. Patients were asked to complete the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire at baseline and 1 and 4 weeks after initiation of the PCT intervention. Result: Of the 35 patients enrolled, 26 patients and 15 patients completed the assessments at 1 and 4 weeks after starting the intervention, respectively. Pain subscale (PA) was improved at 1 week after starting the intervention (p<0.05). Dyspnea subscale (DY) and PA were improved at 4 weeks after starting the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: We prospectively showed that QOL of cancer patients was improved with the intervention of the PCT, using the Japanese version of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL. Even if the PCT can only provide short-term care for cancer patients, this intervention appears worthwhile to improve QOL of cancer patients.