Chest Port Insertion

Once placed exclusively by surgeons, venous access ports are now commonly placed by interventional radiologists. Overall, as is the case with any central venous access, image-guided procedures have demonstrated clear superiority over more traditional techniques that have relied on anatomic landmarks. Ports are best suited for long-term intermittent access and generally have the lowest rate of infectious complications among central venous catheters because of their nonexposed location. Nonetheless, ∼5% of ports in most series must ultimately be removed prematurely because of infection, which remains the most common complication.

SUGGESTED READINGS

• 1 Funaki B, Szymski G X, Hackworth C A et al.. Radiologic placement of subcutaneous implantable chest ports for long term central venous access.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;  169 1435-1437
• 2 Funaki B. Central venous access: a primer for diagnostic radiologists.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;  179 309-318
• 3 Funaki B. Diagnostic and interventional radiology in central venous access.  Semin Roentgenol. 2002;  37 343-353