Case: Lines & tubes radiograph #111538018
Lines & tubes Beginner
Read this radiograph systematically before revealing the answer. What is the main abnormality?

Image: Hellerhoff via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized and converted to WebP
Tip: scroll or pinch to zoom, drag to pan, and try Invert.
Answer: Central venous catheter
What to look for in central venous catheter
- A thin catheter entering via a jugular, subclavian or arm vein and following the expected venous course.
- The tip should lie in the lower superior vena cava or at the cavoatrial junction.
- After insertion, always check for pneumothorax and for a tip in an unexpected vein or artery.
Description by the image author (may be in another language): ZVK von links jugular in der V. cava superior kurzstreckig umgeschlagen. Da der ZVK nur um wenige Zentimeter umgeschlagen ist und nicht beispielsweise bis in die V. jugularis rechts reichte, konnte die Lage durch Zurückziehen um 2 cm mit dadurch nach kaudal sich begradigendem ZVK korrigiert werden.
Educational case. The diagnosis comes from the image's documented source; the "what to look for" list describes the condition in general and is not a report of this individual image.





