Radiographic Imaging of Power Injectable Medical Access Ports as a Supplemental Identification Tool

Purpose Our aims were to describe characteristic radiographic features of two power injectable medical access ports (MAPs) on various imaging modalities for rapid and precise identification; and to demonstrate the value of this approach in identifying other types of MAPs via “pictorial atlas”. Methods We analyzed two commonly seen MAPs at our clinical center, Smart Port® CT-Injectable Port and PowerPort® M.R.I.® Implantable Port. Photographs of these two MAPs were retrospectively compared with identity-verified MAPs seen on chest X-ray (CXR), computed tomography (CT) and dual energy subtraction radiography (DESR) images from routine patient encounters at our clinical center. Visualized radiographic features were used for MAP differentiation and identification. Results Based on selected patient case examples for these two MAPs, physical characteristics seen on imaging were used for MAP identification. These properties included port body and chamber shape; location and number of suture holes; and radiopaque and radiolucent features. Each imaging modality provided a unique set of radiographic features and highlighted specific components of each MAP for rapid and precise identification. CXR offered better visualization of unique MAP features compared to CT. Conclusions Radiographic imaging can serve as a tool for medical staff to quickly identify MAPs. Hospital-specific “pictorial atlases” can be developed to display MAPs along with their associated distinctive radiographic and physical features for rapid and precise identification. This may be useful for large referral centers that see a wide array of MAPs by mitigating complications associated with MAP misidentification and usage, thus improving patient care.