Patient injury caused by improper feeding tube placement
Feeding tubes
Small, soft enteric tubes
Some with flexible metallic tips
Used for feeding chronically ill patients
Can be used for long periods of time
Nasogastric tubes
Large-bore, moderately stiff
Used for temporary bowel decompression or fluid sampling
Tip placed in pylorus can cause gastric outlet obstruction
Gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes
Placed surgically, endoscopically, or percutaneously
Used for long-term, possibly permanent, feeding
Use imaging to visualize tube balloon, surgical clips, and cuff
Cuff initiates soft tissue reaction to anchor tube to abdominal wall
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) button can replace tube several weeks post placement
Placed in anterior abdominal wall
Balloon-tipped catheters should not be placed into small bowel
Likely to obstruct bowel lumen
IMAGING
General Features
Imaging Recommendations
Radiographic Findings
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
McCutcheon KP et al: Feeding tube insertion and placement confirmation using electromagnetic guidance: a team review. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 42(1):247-54, 2018
Winder JS et al: Multimodal endoscopic management of iatrogenic transverse colon injuries from a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. Gastrointest Endosc. 83(6):1290-1, 2016
Ojo O: Problems with use of a Foley catheter in enteral tube feeding. Br J Nurs. 23(7):360-2, 364, 2014
Gor P: Placement of nasogastric tubes must be checked thoroughly. Nurs Stand. 27(43):32, 2013
Khasawneh FA et al: Nasopharyngeal perforation by a new electromagnetically visualised enteral feeding tube. BMJ Case Rep. 2013, 2013
Marco J et al: Bronchopulmonary complications associated to enteral nutrition devices in patients admitted to internal medicine departments. Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 213(5):223-8, 2013
Simons SR et al: Bedside assessment of enteral tube placement: aligning practice with evidence. Am J Nurs. 112(2):40-6; quiz 48, 47, 2012
de Aguilar-Nascimento JE et al: Use of small-bore feeding tubes: successes and failures. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 10(3):291-6, 2007
Hunter TB et al: Medical devices of the abdomen and pelvis. Radiographics. 25(2):503-23, 2005
Swain FR et al: Traumatic complications from placement of thoracic catheters and tubes. Emerg Radiol. 12(1-2):11-8, 2005
Faries MB et al: Use of gastrostomy and combined gastrojejunostomy tubes for enteral feeding. World J Surg. 23(6):603-7, 1999
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Clinical Issues
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Patient injury caused by improper feeding tube placement
Feeding tubes
Small, soft enteric tubes
Some with flexible metallic tips
Used for feeding chronically ill patients
Can be used for long periods of time
Nasogastric tubes
Large-bore, moderately stiff
Used for temporary bowel decompression or fluid sampling
Tip placed in pylorus can cause gastric outlet obstruction
Gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes
Placed surgically, endoscopically, or percutaneously
Used for long-term, possibly permanent, feeding
Use imaging to visualize tube balloon, surgical clips, and cuff
Cuff initiates soft tissue reaction to anchor tube to abdominal wall
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) button can replace tube several weeks post placement
Placed in anterior abdominal wall
Balloon-tipped catheters should not be placed into small bowel
Likely to obstruct bowel lumen
IMAGING
General Features
Imaging Recommendations
Radiographic Findings
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
McCutcheon KP et al: Feeding tube insertion and placement confirmation using electromagnetic guidance: a team review. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 42(1):247-54, 2018
Winder JS et al: Multimodal endoscopic management of iatrogenic transverse colon injuries from a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. Gastrointest Endosc. 83(6):1290-1, 2016
Ojo O: Problems with use of a Foley catheter in enteral tube feeding. Br J Nurs. 23(7):360-2, 364, 2014
Gor P: Placement of nasogastric tubes must be checked thoroughly. Nurs Stand. 27(43):32, 2013
Khasawneh FA et al: Nasopharyngeal perforation by a new electromagnetically visualised enteral feeding tube. BMJ Case Rep. 2013, 2013
Marco J et al: Bronchopulmonary complications associated to enteral nutrition devices in patients admitted to internal medicine departments. Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 213(5):223-8, 2013
Simons SR et al: Bedside assessment of enteral tube placement: aligning practice with evidence. Am J Nurs. 112(2):40-6; quiz 48, 47, 2012
de Aguilar-Nascimento JE et al: Use of small-bore feeding tubes: successes and failures. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 10(3):291-6, 2007
Hunter TB et al: Medical devices of the abdomen and pelvis. Radiographics. 25(2):503-23, 2005
Swain FR et al: Traumatic complications from placement of thoracic catheters and tubes. Emerg Radiol. 12(1-2):11-8, 2005
Faries MB et al: Use of gastrostomy and combined gastrojejunostomy tubes for enteral feeding. World J Surg. 23(6):603-7, 1999
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