Chest X-ray in intensive care unit patients: what there is to know about thoracic devices

Abstract

Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit require continuous monitoring of vital functions as well as mechanical and pharmacological support, provided through different devices. Chest radiographs play a fundamental role in monitoring the conditions of these patients and assessing the intensive-care devices after their insertion; therefore, the radiologist needs to know their normal appearance and their correct position and should be aware of the possible complications that may occur after their placement. This pictorial review illustrates the radiographic appearance of non-cardiological devices commonly used in clinical practice (central venous catheters, tunneled catheters, Swan-Ganz catheters, chest tubes, endotracheal tubes, and nasogastric tubes), their correct position and the most common complications that may occur after their placement.