Premature newborn after nasogastric tube placement

AXR of gastric perforation from nasogastric tube placement — Supine and left lateral decubitus AXR (left) show a nasogastric tube with its tip deep in the pelvis without evidence of free air. Supine AXR taken after pulling the nasogastric tube back into the stomach (above right) shows increased lucency throughout the central abdomen and left lateral decubitus AXR taken at same time (below right) shows air between the abdominal wall and the liver.

The diagnosis was pneumoperitoneum due to gastric perforation during nasogastric tube placement which became visible only after the nasogastric tube was pulled out of the hole it had made in the stomach wall.