Common genitourinary catheters: a systematic approach for the radiologist.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Urogenital Imaging
• Medical Device Visualization

Background:

• Catheterization is a frequent intervention for pediatric urinary tract abnormalities.
• Accurate catheter placement is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
• Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in assessing catheter position.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common genitourinary catheters used in pediatric patients.
• To describe the placement techniques and imaging characteristics of these catheters.
• To highlight imaging findings of both correctly and incorrectly positioned catheters.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial essay format reviewing genitourinary catheters.
• Utilized radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonography (US) imaging modalities.
• Described catheter purpose, placement, and imaging findings.

Main Results:

• Common genitourinary catheters visualized across multiple imaging techniques.
• Illustrations of appropriately positioned catheters provided.
• Examples of misplaced and displaced catheters demonstrated with imaging findings.

Conclusions:

• Radiologists must be familiar with common genitourinary catheters.
• Recognition of normal and abnormal catheter positions is essential.
• Diagnostic imaging is critical for identifying catheter displacement.