Radiologic placement of venous access ports

Venous access ports are devices placed subcutaneously for long-term central venous access and that are accessed percutaneously for infusing medication s. Use of ports in patient management has increased in recent years. Tradit ionally, these devices were placed by surgeons; however, radiologists are b ecoming involved more often in providing venous access services. This artic le reviews port construction and analyzes some of the commercially availabl e options. A step-by-step technique of port placement under radiological gu idance is discussed. Possible technical difficulties and suggestions to ove rcome them are presented. Finally, complications encountered in port placem ent are addressed in detail.