Complications of percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tubes in children

Abstract

Percutaneous feeding tubes are generally considered a safe option for enteral feeding and are widely used in children who require long-term nutritional support. However, complications are not infrequent and can range from bothersome to life-threatening. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging appearances of potential complications for optimal patient care. In this review, we discuss radiologic appearances of common complications and less frequent but serious complications related to percutaneous feeding tubes. Additionally, as fluoroscopic feeding tube evaluation is often requested as the initial imaging study, we also discuss the fluoroscopic appearances of some uncommon complications.

Keywords: Children; Complications; Feeding tube; Gastrojejunostomy; Gastrostomy; Interventional radiology; Percutaneous; Stomach.