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