A long line was inserted at the medial aspect of the left knee of a 27 week gestation neonate. The line used was Vygon Premicath, 27 gauge, inserted up to 10 cm. A test radiograph with contrast showed the dye flowing upwards at the left side of the vertebrae in the anatomical position of the left ascending lumbar vein. Thus it appears that the long line had gone into this small tributary of the left common iliac vein instead of going along the vein and entering the inferior vena cava. This highlights the value of using contrast to check the long line position.¹

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Figure 1

 Radiograph with contrast showing dye flowing upwards at the left side of the vertebrae in the anatomical position of the left ascending lumbar vein.