E4698. Imaging of ICU Devices: Pearls and Pitfalls
Authors
Henry Nguyen;
Stanford University School of Medicine
Ana Mitchell;
Stanford University School of Medicine
Emily Tsai;
Stanford University School of Medicine
Background
Chest radiographs are widely used in the ICU due to their ability to be performed on-demand and at the bedside with relatively low radiation dose to the patient. According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), chest radiographs are the preferred imaging modality in evaluation of ICU patients following medical device placement and removal. Therefore, radiologists must be familiar with evaluation of medical support devices in ICU patients on chest radiographs. This educational exhibit will cover common medical devices encountered on chest radiographs of ICU patients, provide examples of optimal and suboptimal positioning (with CT correlate when applicable), and test the reader’s knowledge with case-based practice questions.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
• Recognize common ICU devices and uncommon ICU device variants. • Determine optimal and suboptimal positioning of various ICU devices and complications that may result from malpositioned ICU devices. • Understand pearls and pitfalls when evaluating ICU device positioning. • Evaluate knowledge through practice cases.
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
Chest radiographs.
Conclusion
Chest radiographs are vital to effective evaluation of ICU devices and provide immense value to ordering clinicians in the care of ICU patients. Radiologists must be familiar with medical support devices in ICU patients, their optimal positioning, and potential complications that may arise from malpositioning.
