What am I looking at?
Visual recognition
External drainage catheter, commonly a locking pigtail, positioned within the renal collecting system and connected to a urine drainage bag.
13-13
Percutaneous nephrostomy catheter
External renal drain
Three-panel learning framework
Recognition, context, and distinction
What does it do, and where will I see it?
Use & procedural context
Provides external drainage of the renal collecting system for obstructive uropathy, infected obstruction, urinary diversion, urine leak management, and antegrade access for subsequent genitourinary intervention.
What most clearly distinguishes it from similar devices?
Key distinctions
A nephrostomy catheter terminates in the renal collecting system and drains externally, unlike a nephroureteral catheter that continues through the ureter into the bladder.