Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2001 Mar;84(2):F129-30.
doi: 10.1136/fn.84.2.f129.

Positioning long lines: contrast versus plain radiography

A Reece  1 , T Ubhi, A R Craig, S J Newell
Affiliations

Positioning long lines: contrast versus plain radiography

A Reece et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2001 Mar.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the value of contrast versus plain radiography in determining radio-opaque long line tip position in neonates.

Methods: In a prospective study, plain radiography was performed after insertion of radio-opaque long lines. If the line tip was not visible on the plain film, a second film with contrast was obtained in an attempt to visualise the tip.

Results: Sixty eight lines were inserted during the study period, 62 of which were included in the study. In 31, a second radiographic examination with contrast was necessary to determine position of the tip. In 29 of these, the line tip was clearly visualised with contrast. On two occasions, the line tip could not be seen because the contrast had filled the vein and obscured the tip from view. Eight of the lines that required a second radiograph with contrast were repositioned.

Conclusion: Intravenous contrast should be routinely used in the assessment of long line position in the neonate.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

  • Positioning of long lines.
    Mehta NM, Nicholl RM. Mehta NM, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002 Jan;86(1):F68-9. doi: 10.1136/fn.86.1.f68-b. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002. PMID: 11815557 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Positioning long lines: response to Reece et al.
    Bagchi I, Nycyk JA, Bodicoat S. Bagchi I, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002 Nov;87(3):F233. doi: 10.1136/fn.87.3.f233. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002. PMID: 12391008 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

    1. J Pediatr Surg. 1983 Jun;18(3):284-7 - PubMed
    1. Am J Dis Child. 1990 Nov;144(11):1246-50 - PubMed
    1. J Pediatr Surg. 1991 Jun;26(6):645-50 - PubMed