RE: CT appearances of congenital and acquired abnormalities of the superior vena cava

Malposition of Central Venous Catheter

“…The catheter will be pulled and repositioned under radiological guidance after confirmation. [ 30 ] Contrast-enhanced CT, magnetic resonance imaging studies, and venography alone or in combination will provide definitive information about the location of the catheter.…”

Correspondence Regarding: Central Venous Catheters: Do we Need to Review Practice on Positioning?

“…These vessels display much anatomical variation. 2 Placement of a CVC in one of these vessels can be shown as a straight segment of catheter in the left paramedian position, or occasionally when the catheter 'turns back' or 'kinks' on the AP chest radiograph. A lateral film may be useful in these circumstances.…”

“…A lateral film may be useful in these circumstances. 2,3 Although CVC placement in these veins is rare (with one placement reported in the accessory hemiazygous vein in a study of 2,104 insertions 3 ), it is clinically important. These vessels are of relatively narrow calibre and are therefore susceptible to damage from catheter erosion, infusion of irritants or thrombosis.…”