Endotracheal Tube

Malposition occurs in about 15% of placements, with emergency intubation having the highest complication rates. Physical examination is an unreliable guide to correct tube location, and a chest radiograph is required for confirmation. Correct placement of the endotracheal tube can be determined by the location of the tube tip relative to the carina. Ideally, the tip should be within 5 to 7 cm of the carina, with the head in the neutral position (i.e., inferior border of the mandible projected over the C5 and C6 vertebra). During flexion and extension of the cervical spine, the tip of the endotracheal tube may vary by a distance of 2 cm. The endotracheal tube should be at least 3 cm distal to the cords. A location that is too high may result in inadvertent extubation or may damage to the vocal cords. A position that is too low results in endobronchial intubation, occurring on the right more frequently than the left (Fig. 5-1). This may result in overinflation and possibly pneumothorax on the intubated side and atelectasis of the opposite lung.

Figure 5-1 Right main bronchus intubation. The endotracheal tube lies within the right main bronchus, resulting in complete collapse of the left lung. The patient has right lower lobe pneumonia.

Esophageal intubation may be recognized by the margins of the endotracheal tube lying lateral to the tracheal air column and gaseous gastric distention. A right posterior oblique chest radiograph displaces the trachea to the right of the esophagus and allows recognition of the esophageal intubation (Fig. 5-2). The optimal width of the tube should be one half to two thirds of the width of the tracheal lumen, and the inflated cuff should not distend the tracheal wall. After a tracheostomy, the tube tip is ideally situated between one half and two thirds of the distance from the stoma to the carina. The width of the tube should be approximately two thirds of the width of the trachea, and the tip should not be wedged against the tracheal wall.

Figure 5-2 Endotracheal tube intubation of the esophagus. A, The anteroposterior radiograph reveals an endotracheal tube lying adjacent and parallel with an esophageal stethoscope and shows gross gastric gaseous distention. B, An oblique lateral radiograph confirms esophageal intubation with the endotracheal tube.

Tracheal laceration due to the endotracheal tube may result in pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, or subcutaneous emphysema, singly or in combination. The tip of the endotracheal tube may be deviated to the right of the tracheal lumen. Inflation of the cuff by more than 2.8 cm (normal diameter is 2 to 2.5 cm) can cause tracheal laceration, as can positioning of the lower margin of the cuff at less than 1.3 cm from the tube tip (normal distance is 2.5 cm). Tracheal stenosis may occur at the tracheostomy stoma or at the endotracheal tube tip (Fig. 5-3). At the stoma, stenosis is caused by the formation of granulation tissue or by fibrosis with destruction of the tracheal cartilage. At the cuff site, stenosis results from a circumferential scar that is 1 to 4 cm long and that is typically 1.5 cm below the stoma.

Figure 5-3 Tracheal stricture. A, The cuff of the tracheostomy tube is overinflated. B, Coronal tomogram shows that overinflation results in a tracheal stricture (arrow).

Nasogastric Tube and Feeding Tube

Incorrect positioning of a nasogastric tube is the most common tube complication (Fig. 5-4). Radiographic confirmation of correct positioning is mandatory before suction or feedings begin. The tube may be seen lodged within the tracheobronchial tree or coiled with the larynx or pharynx. More commonly, the tube lies too high in the esophagus above the gastroesophageal junction (Fig. 5-5). On many tubes, the side holes extend for a distance of 10 cm from the tip, and at least 10 cm of tubing should be seen within the stomach. Side holes above the gastroesophageal junction place the patient at risk for aspiration of gastric contents. Feeding tubes should be positioned in the duodenum to reduce the risk of gastroesophageal reflux of feedings and aspiration. The enteroflex tube is inserted over a wire, and perforation of the esophagus or stomach is a potential hazard. The stiff stylet may inadvertently enter the lung and cause a pneumothorax (Fig. 5-6). Complications associated with the nasogastric and feeding tubes are listed in Box 5-1.

Figure 5-4 Esophageal perforation due to a nasogastric tube. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrates a complex paraesophageal mass containing air and representing a mediastinal abscess. The abscess invades the posterior wall of the aortic arch, resulting in a mycotic aneurysm (arrow). Bilateral pleural effusions can be seen.

Figure 5-5 Intrathoracic nasogastric tube. The nasogastric tube lies too proximal, with the tip lying within the middle esophagus. Bilateral lower lobe consolidation is caused by aspiration pneumonia. Left axillary surgery has been performed.

Figure 5-6 Endobronchial enteroflex feeding tube. The guidewire and feeding tube have passed through the right main bronchus (arrow) into the lower lobe bronchus and out through the diaphragmatic pleura. A follow-up radiograph showed a right pneumothorax. A right internal jugular catheter sheath lies with the tip within the superior vena cava.

Central Venous Catheter

Central venous catheters are used routinely in the management of critically ill patients for venous access and measurement of intravascular blood volume (i.e., central venous pressure). Up to 40% of catheters are malpositioned. The catheters are usually placed through the subclavian or internal jugular vein. The optimal site for the catheter tip is within the superior vena cava, identified on the frontal view as at the level of the first anterior intercostal space. A catheter within the brachiocephalic veins produces inaccurate central venous pressure measurements due to interference by the proximal venous valves, and positioning within the right atrium is associated with a risk of cardiac perforation and arrhythmias. A catheter that follows a left anterior paramediastinal course is most likely in a left-sided superior vena cava (Fig. 5-7). This venous anomaly occurs in 0.3% of the population, and is usually associated with a right-sided superior vena cava. The left superior vena cava drains into the right atrium by way of the coronary sinus (Fig. 5-8). Catheter placement in an arterial vessel is usually clinically suspected because of the pulsatile flow through the catheter. This may be confirmed on the chest radiograph by the course of the catheter following the major arterial vessels.

Figure 5-7 Digital photographs show a left-sided superior vena cava (SVC) with a right SVC. A, The pulmonary artery catheter has entered a left SVC and passed through the coronary sinus into the right atrium and out into the right pulmonary artery. B, In the same patient, a right internal jugular approach demonstrated a right SVC.

Figure 5-8 Left-sided superior vena cava (SVC) with an absent right SVC. A, The posteroanterior radiograph reveals a right pacing lead introduced with a right subclavian approach that crosses the midline and descends along the left mediastinal border before crossing over to the right at the base of the heart. B, Venogram confirms an absent right SVC, with the subclavian veins draining into a left SVC and then into the coronary sinus.

Pneumothorax is a common complication of line insertion, occurring in up to 5% of patients, particularly after using a subclavian approach. The pneumothorax is often difficult to detect clinically, and a chest radiograph with the patient preferably erect should be obtained after every line insertion. The pneumothorax may be evident immediately, hours, or rarely, days after insertion. Examination of the lung and pleura opposite to the line insertion is important because bilateral punctures may have been attempted.

Inadvertent puncture of the subclavian or carotid artery may result in an extrapleural hematoma, recognized as a small apical opacity or as mediastinal widening due to more extensive bleeding. Rarely, a pseudoaneurysm of these vessels may develop (Fig. 5-9).

Figure 5-9 Left subclavian aneurysm. A, The posteroanterior radiograph shows a large, homogenous opacity in the left upper thorax (arrow) after attempted central line placement. The patient has a staphylococcal pneumonia and cardiomegaly. B, An angiogram with a selective injection into the origin of the left subclavian artery demonstrates an aneurysm, which was subsequently embolized.

Ectopic infusion of fluid into the mediastinal or pleural space through inadvertent placement of a line outside of a vein produces a radiographic appearance of mediastinal widening, suggesting significant intrathoracic bleeding. The diagnosis is suggested by the temporal relationship with the catheter insertion and is confirmed by thoracocentesis.

Central venous catheter placement is frequently associated with nonobstructing thrombus around the tip, and in 15% of cases, a high-probability ventilation-perfusion scan for pulmonary emboli has been demonstrated.

Catheter fragmentation with subsequent central venous embolization is estimated to occur in 1% of catheter placements (Fig. 5-10). Many cases are unrecognized clinically and may be detected by the astute radiologist. The fragments typically migrate through the central veins and right heart chambers and into the pulmonary artery and its branches. Death, arrhythmias, cardiac or vessel perforation, sepsis, mycotic aneurysm, and pulmonary emboli may result. In many cases, percutaneous retrieval devices can successfully remove the fragment.

Figure 5-10 Intracardiac catheter fragment. A, An intravenous port catheter is positioned through the right subclavian vein. The catheter has fractured, and the distal fragment has migrated into the right atrium (arrow). B, It was confirmed on CT. The fragment was removed percutaneously through the right femoral vein with an angiographic snare.

Complications of line insertion in part reflect the expertise of the operator. For this reason, the femoral vein approach has gained popularity. There is no risk of a pneumothorax and access is direct and technically easier, and the puncture site is readily compressible. Bleeding from an inadvertent puncture of the femoral artery is easily controlled. Concern over the potentially increased risk of infection and thrombosis using this approach has proved unwarranted. Complications associated with the central venous catheter are reviewed in Box 5-2.

Percutaneous intravascular central catheters (PICCs) are particularly useful for long-term access. They are small (2 to 5 F in diameter) and are routinely placed by way of the antecubital veins. Because of their fine caliber, they may be difficult to visualize radiographically, particularly in the mediastinum. There is obviously no risk of a pneumothorax, and the risk of infection and thrombosis is low. Because these lines are very flexible and may become displaced, they should be monitored by routine radiographs (Fig. 5-11).

Figure 5-11 Incorrect position of the percutaneous intravascular central catheter. The catheter tip lies within the right internal jugular vein. The right-sided permanent pacemaker has atrial and ventricular leads.

Hickman lines are increasingly used in patients after organ transplantation or for prolonged chemotherapy because of the low incidence of line infections. These catheters are inserted surgically through the subclavian vein and are positioned in the distal superior vena cava or proximal right atrium. The catheter may become pinched at the junction of the clavicle and the first rib, resulting in difficult infusions (when the arms are down), thrombosis, or catheter fragmentation. Totally implantable venous access systems or infusaports consist of a disk placed just below the skin port and a catheter that should terminate in the superior vena cava. Infections are rare, but venous thrombosis may occur.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter

Pulmonary artery catheters are frequently used to monitor the hemodynamic status of critically ill patients to aid differentiation of cardiogenic from noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. The complication rate associated with these catheters is low, but the complications may be fatal. The catheter is typically inserted through the subclavian or internal jugular vein and “floated” distal to the pulmonic valve to lie within the right or left main pulmonary artery. An inflatable balloon at the catheter tip is used to obtain a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure that reflects left atrial pressure and left end-diastolic volume. Balloon inflation is required only at the time of obtaining measurements and may be radiographically visible as a 1-cm, round lucency at the catheter tip. On inflation, the catheter floats distally into a smaller arterial vessel; when the balloon is deflated, the tip should lie in the right or left pulmonary artery within 2 cm of the hilum. Coiling or looping of the catheter within the atrium or ventricle may cause arrhythmias, right bundle branch block, complete heart block, or tricuspid valve rupture.

Pulmonary infarction is the most common serious complication; it results from a location of the catheter that is too peripheral or from excessively prolonged inflation of the balloon in a major peripheral pulmonary artery. Obstruction to distal flow results from the catheter itself or clot formation on or around the catheter tip. The extent of the infarct is determined by the size and distribution of the occluded vessel. Typically, infarction is recognized as patchy consolidation involving the region of the lung peripheral to the catheter. Management requires removal of the catheter, which is frequently a sufficient treatment.

Pulmonary hemorrhage, another complication, has a similar radiographic appearance and is more common in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and in those receiving anticoagulation (Fig. 5-12). It may be caused by pseudoaneurysm formation, a rare but potentially fatal complication resulting from rupture of the pulmonary artery (Fig. 5-13