CTICasesRetrograde Migration of Gastrojejunostomy Tube into the Esophagus
Imaging findings
Serial chest and abdominal radiographs demonstrate a gastrojejunostomy tube that initially is in normal position. On a subsequent radiograph, the tube has inverted and migrated retrograde up the esophagus, with the tip projecting in the mid chest at the esophageal level. Edge-enhanced images confirm the tube's retrograde course from the stomach through the gastroesophageal junction and up the esophagus. The patient had been experiencing emesis, which likely contributed to the retrograde tube migration.
Key takeaways
Retrograde migration of a gastrojejunostomy tube into the esophagus is a rare but important complication that can be recognized on plain radiography by the unexpected esophageal course of the tube. Feeding through a tube in this position would be ineffective and potentially harmful. Emesis and retching can generate sufficient pressure to invert and retrograde-migrate a tube, particularly if the balloon or anchor is inadequate. Serial comparison of daily radiographs in ICU patients with enteral tubes is essential to detect tube migration early.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Takayasu Arteritis with Acute Intramural Hemorrhage Mimicking Intramural HematomaAutoimmune
- Relapsing Polychondritis with Tracheal and Costal Cartilage InvolvementAutoimmune
- Large Right Upper Lobe Pulmonary Vein with Mass Effect on Bronchus IntermediusCongenital
- Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis — Geographic Crazy PavingAutoimmune
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis with Severe Pulmonary HypertensionILD
- Dual Left Anterior Descending Artery (Dual LAD) Coronary VariantCongenital
- Multiple Myeloma with Pulmonary Plasmacytoma InvolvementNeoplastic
- Lateral Costal Artery Embolization Coils in a LIMA Bypass PatientIatrogenic
See all cases from September 14, 2017 →
Related Iatrogenic cases
- Port-A-Cath Lead Fracture and Intracardiac Migration
- Twiddler Syndrome — ICD Lead Coiling and Proximal Migration
- Bronchial Migration of a Tumor Fiducial Marker
- Retained Surgical Sponge (Gossypiboma) in the Mediastinum
- Demand Ischemia and LVOT Obstruction Post-TAVR
- Lucite Sphere Plombage Therapy for Tuberculosis