Fig. 6

Onset of catheter-related infections (Shaded areas indicate infected tissue). Grade A: infected tissue is limited to around the exit-site. Grade B: infected tissue has spread to the distant subcutaneous tunnels beyond the external cuffs, but it has not yet reached the external cuff. Grade C: infected tissue has spread to the distant subcutaneous tunnels beyond the external cuffs and has reached the external cuff. Grade D: infected tissue has spread to the distant subcutaneous tunnels beyond the external cuffs and has reached the internal cuff. The accuracy of the grading is improved by using ultrasound measurements