[Plain X-ray or Computed Tomography Image of Epidural Catheters with Various Materials].

Background: Although breakage of the epidural catheter inside patients is a rare complication, plain X-ray or computed tomography (CT) image is useful for diagnosis of catheter remnant However, it is not well known whether the catheter materials are visible in these images.

Methods: We examined 3 types of X-ray permeabil- ity catheters and 6 types of X-ray impermeability cath- eters available in Japan. We obtained plain X-ray images of catheters alone, plain X-ray images of cathe- ters with bone dummy and CT images of catheters in the model of epidural space.

Results: On plain X-ray images of catheters alone, we could confirm all 6 types of X-ray impermeability catheters. However, on plain X-ray images of catheters with bone dummy, we could confirm only 3 types of catheters among 6 X-ray impermeability catheters. On CT images, we could confirm all 6 types of X-ray impermeability catheters, but not X-ray permeability catheters.

Conclusions: Plain X-ray image can not provide the detection for some X-ray impermeability catheters. CT image is useful- for diagnosis of X-ray impermeability catheters.