Port-a-Cath Gets CT Marks

Ports or portacaths are widely used in hematology and oncology patients for easy vascular access. However, not all of them can withstand power injection of contrast media and asking patients which port they have can be an unreliable method at times. That is why Smiths Medical has launched new versions of its implantable ports with radio-opaque identifiers which can be seen on X-ray and CT scout scans. The letters C and T are embedded into the top of the port, which, the company proudly announces, prevents them from being read backwards like might happen with other manufacturers’ products. Indeed that always confused us completely! Nevertheless, this is a nice little tweak to a useful product.
Press release: Smiths Medical Launches Implantable Ports for Easy Viewing Under CT Scans…