A type of central line infection characterized by signs of soft tissue infection extending along the tunneled portion of the catheter
Case Definition
IDSA
Tenderness, hyperemia, and/or induration that extends >2 cm from the exit site and along the subcutaneous tunnel
May or may not be associated with bacteremia
CDC
Tenderness, erythema, or site induration >2 cm from the catheter site along the subcutaneous tract of a tunneled catheter, in the absence of concomitant bloodstream infection
Management
Send cultures of any drainage and send blood cultures
Remove catheter, without exchange over a wire
Insert replacement catheter at distant site
Antibiotics
Cover Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, and adjust based on culture results
