Peripherally inserted central catheter using the saphenous vein: importance of two-view radiographs to determine the tip location.

Two cases are described in which a peripherally inserted central catheter tip in the saphenous vein appeared to be in the inferior vena cava by an anteroposterior abdominal radiograph, but a lateral view revealed the catheter tip to be outside the inferior vena cava. The actual location of the catheter tip placement may be misleading with a single radiograph. Two-view radiographs should be considered to assure the proper catheter tip placement.