Cavoatrial junction and central venous anatomy: implications for central venous access tip position.

Purpose: To quantify the anatomic relationships of the cavoatrial junction and propose a system for describing central venous access device tip location on the basis of structures visible on chest radiographs.

Materials And Methods: The authors performed a retrospective study of 100 consecutive computed tomographic (CT) studies from a predominantly pediatric population consisting of 52 male and 48 female patients aged 12-28 years (mean age, 16 years). With use of multiplanar and scout images, relevant mediastinal structures were marked, vertebral levels were noted, and measurements were made electronically.