Nasogastric tube in nose

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient requiring nasogastric tube for medication and feeding. Previous neck surgery. Film obtained after a chest x-ray for NGT position which only demonstrated a loop in the hypopharynx.

Patient Data

Age: Elderly
Gender: Male

Lateral face x-ray

x-ray

Lateral view of the face demonstrates the tip of the nasogastric tube to be lodged in the nasal cavity, with the rest of the tube passing down the esophagus as a loop. 

Case Discussion

Nasogastric tubes are placed dozens of times a day in any hospital you visit, but they are not always straight forward to get into the right position, especially as it is often the most junior doctor who is asked to do this. 

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