Retroperitoneal abscess and mycotic aortic aneurysm: unusual septic complications of central vascular line placement in premature infants

To describe the sonographic appearance of unusual septic complications after central vascular line placement in premature infants. Two case reports are presented. The first patient had a retroperitoneal abscess after percutaneous central venous catheter placement. The second patient had a ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta after umbilical arterial catheter placement. Retroperitoneal abscess and aortic aneurysm should be considered in patients with histories of long‐standing catheters or line sepsis. Both of these complications are readily diagnosed on the basis of sonography.