CC BY 4.0 · The Arab Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025; 09(01): 020-024
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787786
Original Article

Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC) Line Use for Conjoined Twins: Single-Center Experience

Mohamed Elzahrani
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Yousof Al Zahrani
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Alwaleed Alqarni
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Meshal Alothri
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Mohammed Al Moaiqel
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Mohammed Alotaibi
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Amin Alzahrani
1   Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2   Department of Medical Imaging, Ministry of Health, Eastern Governance, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Abdulaziz Almulhim
3   King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Purpose This article assesses the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in conjoined twins.

Material and Methods A retrospective chart review of all consecutive conjoined twins who had PICC placement at a tertiary center. Seventeen conjoined twins (12 females; 71%) had 25 PICC insertions. The average age of patients at PICC insertion was 15.9 ± 19.3 months. The most common type of twin was thoraco-omphalopagus (5 patients; 29%). The most common access was the brachial vein (N = 10, 40%). Thirteen procedures (52%) were performed before separation.

Results Seven long-term minor complications were identified (28%). The most common complication was malpositioning (8%). Average dwell time was 122 days while the average fluoroscopy time was 2 minutes and 3 seconds.

Conclusion Image-guided PICC placement in conjoined twins is safe and feasible. It provides excellent durable vascular access.

Note

The study was presented as an oral presentation in PAIRS 2023.


Ethical Approval Statement

This study has obtained IRB approval from King Abdullah International Medical Research Center and the need for informed consent was waived.




Publication History

Article published online:
23 June 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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