Hi all:

We try to place PICC lines in upper extremities, if difficult then we go to lower extremities ..

Sometimes scalp veins look very "tempting" to advance them through ..

My Question for you:

Do you have any advice in sense of indications, contraindications, complications etc ??

Thanks

FA

i have been placing PICC lines through upper and lower limbs, but scalp veins..never experienced this

It is avoided because of risk of cerebral thrombo embolism.

I tried once and was successful when I was a Royal North Shore, Sydney. All I needed was a good assistant who can stretch the skin when it comes to the angle of mandible and the neck bcos it was difficult to maneuver there. the risk am not sure (always look at risk - outcome benefit).

Yes we do it but rarely and as the very last resort and I´ve never experienced any complications.

We do it commonly. It is not often the first place we try, but I have placed PICCs in many a scalp. Mostly in preterms.