Fundamental Radiological Findings: Nasogastric Tube

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to covering the important radiological finding of a nasogastric tube

WHAT IS IT?

A nasogastric (NG) tube refers to a…

 
WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON IMAGING

Often the proper placement of the NG tube can be assessed on a chest X-ray:

Location of the tip: the proper placement of the NG tube will depend upon its usage:

  • For feeding: the tip of the NG tube should be in the third portion of the duodenum or the duodenal-jejunal junction (to prevent reflux of the NG feed)
  • For removing stomach contents: in the stomach (for obvious reasons) 
ISSUES WITH TUBE PLACEMENT

The following are dangerous places of incorrect tube placement. In cases of NG feeding they could result in aspiration:

  • Main bronchi: this is bad
  • Lung parenchyma: this is very dangerous, it can cause a pneumothorax 
  • Esophagus above the GE junction
  • Oropharynx or part way down the esophagus and back up
Page Updated: 03.01.2017