Tunneled catheters

In the past 10 years, intervention radiologists have become increasingly in volved in the placement of long-term venous access devices. The intent of t his article is to familiarize the reader with tunneled cathethers, a subgro up of venous access devices that are widely used in the hemodialysis and on cologic patients. This article provides a brief discussion of the different types of commercially available tunneled catheters; an illustrated, step-b y-step presentation of the radiological techniques of catheter insertion co mmonly used, including discussion about patient selection and preparation; and a review of the radiological and surgical experience with tunneled cath eters, focusing on the early and late complications associated with the dev ices.