Central venous catheter on X‑ray: 10 real cases

Real, openly licensed radiographs showing central venous catheter. Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.

What to look for

  • A thin catheter entering via a jugular, subclavian or arm vein and following the expected venous course.
  • The tip should lie in the lower superior vena cava or at the cavoatrial junction.
  • After insertion, always check for pneumothorax and for a tip in an unexpected vein or artery.

Learn: Central lines and PICCs

Quiz yourself on lines & tubes images

Cases

Radiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #130965919Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #166213998Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #135345140Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #117329781Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #115325717Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #101350814Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #146424584Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #126931682Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #11472258Lines & tubes · BeginnerRadiograph from the case bank: Central venous catheterCase #111538018Lines & tubes · Beginner

Other lines & tubes diagnoses

Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.