Umbilical Venous Catheter Position: The Value of Acquiring a Lateral in Addition to a Frontal Chest Radiograph

Introduction Umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) are standardly used for central venous access in acutely sick neonates. Complications associated with UVCs include thrombosis, infection, diffuse intravascular coagulopathy, arrhythmia, tamponade, and liver injury, many of which are related to misplacement of the catheters. Therefore, this study aimed to institute a policy of obtaining lateral and frontal radiographs to improve the determination of the UVC position. Methods We retrospectively reviewed UVC placement from 132 radiographs. We compared interpretations by different reviewers of frontal versus frontal and lateral chest radiographs for the most accurate determination of the UVC position. The reviewers completed questionnaires indicating their assessment of the catheter tip position, as well as the appropriate catheter manipulation required for optimal positioning. Their assessment was derived from frontal chest radiographs followed by frontal plus lateral view radiographs a week later. Results The reviewers (junior neonatology fellow, senior neonatology fellow, pediatric radiology fellow, and senior pediatric radiologist) revised their assessment with regard to the UVC positioning between frontal and frontal plus lateral radiographs in 24.6%, 22.7%, 19.6%, and 15.9% of cases, respectively, and indicated that the lateral view was helpful in 18%, 13.6%, 19.6%, and 31% of the cases, respectively. UVCs were placed appropriately at the first attempt in only 13.6% of the cases. Conclusion Correct initial placement of a UVC is uncommon. A lateral radiograph is beneficial in determining the UVC position. Hence, we suggest the inclusion of a lateral view along with the frontal chest radiograph for the evaluation of the UVC position if real-time ultrasound cannot be performed before UVC usage.