title: Intraurethral knot in a very-low-birth-weight infant: radiological recognition, surgical management and prevention.
abstract: We report a case where a knot developed in a urinary catheter and became lodged within the urethra of a very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infant. The catheter was removed with the assistance of a urologist. We recommend using caution when placing urinary catheters in VLBW infants and question the appropriateness of feeding tubes as catheters. Recognition on radiographs of malpositioned bladder catheters is vital to the care of these patients. All staff involved in the insertion, maintenance or removal of these catheters should be suitably trained to minimize the risk of knots and related complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada. patrick.mcnamara@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lodha
authors.forename: Linh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brindle
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daneman
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McNamara
mesh_terms: D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation