Tubes, wires, and rods seen in chest roentgenograms

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Device-related Complications

Background:

• Chest roentgenograms commonly reveal various metallic medical devices.
• These include sutures, surgical clips, staples, cardiac valve prostheses, wires, and plates.
• Tubes and catheters may also be visualized due to incorporated metallic wires or barium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common metallic medical devices visualized on chest roentgenograms.
• To discuss potential complications associated with these devices.
• To aid radiologists in the early detection of device-related complications.

Main Methods:

• Review of common metallic medical devices seen in chest X-rays.
• Discussion of associated complications.
• Literature review for references.

Main Results:

• Identification of common metallic densities on chest roentgenograms.
• Description of various devices like clips, staples, prostheses, wires, and plates.
• Recognition of tubes and catheters with metallic components or barium.

Conclusions:

• The increasing use of medical devices necessitates awareness of their potential complications.
• Radiologists play a crucial role in identifying these devices and their associated complications on chest roentgenograms.
• This review provides a foundation for understanding and managing device-related findings.