Supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition detection using the parasternal long-axis echocardiographic view and dextrose 50% contrast solution: A pilot study

Background Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using saline was studied to detect supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition. Commonly used echocardiographic views are apical 4-chamber (A4c) and subcostal views. However, this standard method is not feasible in certain situations. We explored the feasibility of the right ventricle inflow parasternal long axis (RVI-PLAX) echocardiographic view and dextrose 50% (D50%) contrast solution for detecting supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter malposition. Method This pilot study screened 60 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided supradiaphragmatic central venous catheter insertion. We compared the investigators' guidewire's J-tip detection, D50% rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) findings on the RVI-PLAX view and the central venous catheter tip on chest radiograph. We also compared the mean capillary blood sugar level before and after the 5 ml D50% flush. Results No guidewire J-tips were detected from the RVI-PLAX view. The first and second investigators’ diagnosis of central venous catheter malposition detected on RVI-PLAX CEUS achieved an almost perfect agreement (κ = 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90 to 1.0), p < .0001). The RVI-PLAX CEUS was not able to detect two central venous catheter malpositions (one atrial malposition and one left brachiocephalic vein venous catheter malposition). The capillary blood sugar was significantly elevated (8.96 mmol/L vs. 9.75 mmol/L) after D50% flush ( p < 0.005) with no complications reported within 30 minutes after the D50% flush. Conclusion RVI-PLAX view should not be used for guidewire detection. CEUS using D50% and RVI-PLAX view are potentially useful tools in detecting central venous catheter malposition. Further studies comparing them with conventional methods are needed.

Radiographic Imaging to Evaluate Food Passage Rate in Preterm Piglets as a Model for Preterm Infants

Objectives and study: Gut motility in infants mature with increasing post-menstrual age and is affected by numerous hormonal, immunological and nutritional factors. However, it remains unclear how age and diet influence gut motility and its relation to feeding intolerance and gastric residuals in preterm neonates. Using preterm piglets as a model for infants, we investigated if contrast passage rate, as determined by X-ray contrast imaging, is affected by gestational age at birth, advancing postnatal age and different milk diets.Methods: Contrast passage rate was evaluated using serial abdominal X-ray imaging on postnatal day 4 and 18 in preterm and near-term piglets fed infant formula, colostrum or intact bovine milk, with or without added fortifier (total n = 140).Results: Preterm piglets had a faster small intestinal passage rate of contrast solution at day 4 of life than near-term piglets (SIEmpty, hazard ratio (HR): 0.52, 95%CI [0.15, 0.88], p &lt; 0.01). Formula fed piglets at day 4 had a faster passage rate of contrast to caecum (ToCecum, HR: 0.61, 95%CI [0.25,0.96], p = 0.03), and through the colon region (CaecumToRectum, p &lt; 0.05, day 4) than colostrum fed preterm piglets. The time for contrast to leave the stomach, and passage through the colon in day 4 preterm piglets were slower than in older piglets at day 18 (both, p &lt; 0.05). Adding a nutrient fortifier increased body growth, gastric residuals, intestinal length and weight, but did not affect any of the observed passage rates of the contrast solution.Conclusion: Serial X-ray contrast imaging is a feasible method to assess food passage rate in preterm piglets. Contrast passage rate through different gut segments is affected by gestational age at birth, postnatal age, and milk diet. The preterm piglet could be a good model to investigate clinical and dietary factors that support maturation of gut motility and thereby feeding tolerance and gut health in preterm infants.

Diagnosis of Traumatic Ankle Arthrotomies Using Saline Load Tests, Methylene Blue, and Radiopaque Tracer: A Cadaveric Study

Background: The objective of this study was to define the volume (mLs) needed for a positive saline load challenge test in anterolateral (AL), anteromedial (AM), posterolateral (PL), or posteromedial (PM) ankle arthrotomy wounds using normal saline (NS) and methylene blue (MB). Another objective was to evaluate the use of fluoroscopy and iodinated contrast in the diagnosis of ankle arthrotomies. Methods: Four cadaveric ankle specimens underwent standardized arthrotomy creation in either the AL, AM, PL, or PM portion of each specimen. An 18-gauge needle was used to inject fluid into each ankle, and the volumes needed for positive fluid challenges were recorded. All 4 ankles were tested 10 times (n = 40) with NS and 10 times using MB (n = 40). A fifth cadaveric ankle was injected with radiopaque contrast solution, and an arthrotomy was simulated and imaged with fluoroscopy.Statistical analyses compared the volumes of NS and MB needed for a positive test. In addition, the 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of volumes needed for a positive test was calculated. Results: The volume of fluid necessary to detect 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 95% of ankle arthrotomies from any site was 2.0 mL, 4.5 mL, 9.0 mL, 10 mL, and 10 mL, respectively. Anterior arthrotomies required less fluid (2.1 mL ± 0.5) than posterior arthrotomies (9.0 mL ± 1.2) for a positive test ( P < .0001). There was no difference between the amount of NS (5.5 mL ± 3.6) vs MB (5.6 mL ± 3.7) needed for a positive challenge test ( P = .739). Conclusion: Ninety-five percent of ankle arthrotomies could be diagnosed with 10 mL of injected fluid; there was no difference between the volume of NS vs MB needed. Fluoroscopy assisted with needle placement and can be combined with radiopaque contrast solution to diagnose ankle arthrotomies. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study may improve sensitivity and efficiency in the diagnosis of traumatic ankle arthrotomies, for which there is currently a paucity of literature.

Myelography and residual contrast in panoramic radiography: case report

ABSTRACT Myodil or pantopaque is an oil-based contrast solution often used up to 1980 for myelography, cisternography, and ventilography. Oilbased contrasts have a very slow clearance time in the cerebrospinal fluids and may encapsulate for decades and remain in the central nervous system and the interior of the spine. The knowledge of the existence of this rare condition coming from other radiographictests of the past, described in this clinical case, is essential when atypical radiographic images are found.