Plain X-ray or Computed Tomography Image of Epidural Catheters with Various Materials
Tanaka, A.; Inoue, Y.; Miyoshi, T.; Yamada, Y.; Tanabe, K.; Iida, H.
Masui. Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology 66(2): 196-200
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4892 PMID: 30380288 Document Number: 692924
Although breakage of the epidural catheter inside patients is a rare complication, plain X-ray or computed tomography (CT) image is useful for diagnosis of catheter remnant However, it is not well known whether the catheter materials are visible in these images. We examined 3 types of X-ray permeabil- ity catheters and 6 types of X-ray impermeability cath- eters available in Japan. We obtained plain X-ray images of catheters alone, plain X-ray images of cathe- ters with bone dummy and CT images of catheters in the model of epidural space. On plain X-ray images of catheters alone, we could confirm all 6 types of X-ray impermeability catheters. However, on plain X-ray images of catheters with bone dummy, we could confirm only 3 types of catheters among 6 X-ray impermeability catheters. On CT images, we could confirm all 6 types of X-ray impermeability catheters, but not X-ray permeability catheters. Plain X-ray image can not provide the detection for some X-ray impermeability catheters. CT image is useful- for diagnosis of X-ray impermeability catheters.