Black hole on film following catheter insertion

Hsuan-Wei Chen1, Jin-Shuen Chen

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China.

Hemodialysis International. International Symposium on Home Hemodialysis
|February 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A misplaced double lumen catheter (DLC) in a hemodialysis patient

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Radiology
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Vascular access is crucial for hemodialysis (HD).
  • Double lumen catheters (DLCs) are temporary vascular access devices.
  • Complications can arise from improper DLC insertion and placement.

Observation:

  • A cirrhotic patient undergoing HD had a DLC inserted via the left femoral vein.
  • An incidental imaging finding revealed an unusual DLC position, suggesting iliac vessel perforation.
  • Venography confirmed the DLC was positioned within the dilated left gonadal vein.

Findings:

  • The DLC in the left gonadal vein was functional for hemodialysis.
  • Portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients can cause collateral vessel formation and gonadal vein dilation.
  • This anatomical variation, while benign, can mimic serious complications on imaging.

Implications:

  • Accurate interpretation of imaging is vital to avoid misdiagnosis of vascular injury.
  • Understanding anatomical variations in cirrhotic patients is important for safe vascular access procedures.
  • This case highlights the need for careful radiological assessment in patients with portal hypertension.

Related Concept Videos

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography01:22

Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography

Voiding Cystourethrography (VCUG) and Cystography are specialized radiographic procedures used to examine the structure and function of the bladder and urethra.Voiding Cystourethrography (VCUG)A Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that assesses the anatomy and function of the lower urinary tract. It focuses on the bladder, bladder neck, and urethra, helping detect abnormalities such as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)—the backward or reverse flow of urine into the...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management01:22

Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management

Vigilant monitoring for aneurysm rupture is essential for patients undergoing aortic surgery.Preoperative Nursing ManagementContinuously monitor the patient for manifestations of aneurysm rupture, such as pallor, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, abdominal, back, groin, or periumbilical pain, changes in consciousness, and a pulsating abdominal mass. Regularly assess the patient's peripheral pulses.Instruct the patient to consume a clear liquid diet the day before surgery and administer...
Detection of Black Holes01:10

Detection of Black Holes

Although black holes were theoretically postulated in the 1920s, they remained outside the domain of observational astronomy until the 1970s.
Their closest cousins are neutron stars, which are composed almost entirely of neutrons packed against each other, making them extremely dense. A neutron star has the same mass as the Sun but its diameter is only a few kilometers. Therefore, the escape velocity from their surface is close to the speed of light.
Not until the 1960s, when the first neutron...
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging01:19

Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging

DefinitionRenal angiography, also known as renal arteriography, is an imaging technique used to obtain a comprehensive view of blood flow and the vascular structure of blood vessels in the kidneys and surrounding areas.PurposeRenal angiography detects blood vessel abnormalities in the kidneys, such as aneurysms, stenosis, thrombosis, vascular tumors, and renal artery stenosis. It evaluates kidney function and guides interventional treatments like angioplasty or stent placement.Pre-Procedure...
Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow01:24

Upper GI Series: Barium Swallow

The Barium Swallow Study, or a Barium Esophagogram, is a diagnostic imaging method used to visualize the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. It employs barium sulfate, a radiopaque contrast material, to provide clear images of the upper digestive system, helping to identify abnormalities, diseases, or structural issues.
Purpose and Procedure
Patients undergoing this procedure ingest a liquid containing barium sulfate with a chalky...