Radiologic evaluation of gastrostomy complications

Radiologic examination plays a crucial role in the evaluation of suspected gastrostomy complications. This has not been stressed adequately in the radiologic literature. In a retrospective review of 230 patients who underwent tube gastrostomy for varied clinical conditions, 70 patients who had radiologic examination for evaluation of gastrostomy-related complications were identified. Thirty complications were diagnosed radiologically. There were 11 gastric obstructions, 11 tube displacements, four gastric ulcers, two gastric perforations, one leaking gastrostomy, and one broken gastrostomy tube. Gastric torsion and gastric pneumatosis are reported for the first time as complications of gastrostomy.