Medical and surgical devices in the emergency and trauma patient: what the radiologist should know, and how they can add value
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Authors
De La Hoz Polo, Marcela
Sandhu, Amandeep
Kashef, Elika
Aylwin, Christopher
Bew, Duncan
Manikon, Maribel
Dick, Elizabeth
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Issue Date
2021
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Article
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Abstract
A variety of different external and internal medical devices are used in the acute setting to maintain life support and manage severely injured and unstable trauma or emergency patients. These devices are inserted into the acutely ill patient with the specific purpose of improving outcome, but misplacement can cause additional morbidity and mortality. Consequently, meaningful interpretation of the position of devices can affect acute management. Some devices such as nasopharyngeal, nasogastric and endotracheal tubes and chest and surgical drains are well known to most clinicians, however, little formal training exists for radiologists in composing their report on the imaging of these devices. The novice radiologist often relies on tips and phrases handed down in an aural tradition or resorts to phrases such as: "position as shown". Furthermore, radiologists with limited experience in trauma might not be familiar with the radiological appearance of other more specific devices. This review will focus on the most common medical devices used in acute trauma patients, indications, radiological appearance and their correct and suboptimal positioning.
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The British Journal of Radiology
Volume
94
Issue
1119