Gastrostomy Exchange With Displacement Into the Jejunum

TL;DR

A patient with a misplaced gastrostomy tube was successfully treated by displacing it into the jejunum and replacing it with a new catheter.

Contribution

A novel clinical approach for correcting a displaced gastrostomy tube using jejunal displacement and guidewire techniques.

Findings

Contrast imaging confirmed jejunal opacification, diagnosing gastroenteric intussusception.

A new catheter was successfully placed following a conventional gastroduodenojejunal path.

Symptoms resolved immediately after the procedure, and the patient was discharged.

Abstract

A 54-year-old female with a gastrostomy tube presented with persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. On physical examination, the gastrostomy tube was completely advanced into the abdominal cavity with only the external retention ring and hub on the exterior. The first step in the workup was obtaining a scout radiograph. This imaging was appropriate to show the location of the gastrostomy catheter which was overlying the left upper quadrant. The distal tip was heading in the direction of the left lower quadrant. The course of the gastrostomy catheter did not follow the expected direction of the duodenal C-loop. Proceeding forward, contrast was injected through the existing catheter which showed opacification of the jejunal bowel loops. The patient could now be properly diagnosed with gastroenteric intussusception and proper measures could be taken. Following the injected contrast showing jejunal opacification, a stiff Glidewire was advanced through the existing catheter all the way into the jejunum. Deflation of the balloon and removal of the catheter caused an almost instantaneous change in the course of the Glidewire to the more conventional path following the course of the duodenal C-loop. A sheath was then advanced over the wire which was now shown crossing the midline in the proper gastroduodenojejunal course. The final step was to advance a new 22-French MIC gastrostomy catheter over the Glidewire. The contrast was then injected to demonstrate proper opacification of the rugal folds and gastric fundus. The patient reported an immediate resolution of symptoms and was later discharged.

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