Gastrostomy tube check

  • Patient preparation: none
  • Contrast used: low osmolar water soluble if checking to see if newly placed / replaced gastric tube is in the stomach, barium for other indications, dilute contrast using 1 part contrast : 2 parts sodium chloride if 1 year old
  • Technique:
    — Scout image
    — Place the patient in a right lateral position
    — Slowly inject the contrast through the gastrostomy tube
  • Images to obtain: lateral image of the gastrostomy tube tract and the gastrostomy tube in the stomach, AP image of the tube in the stomach
  • Looking for: gastrostomy tube tip not in stomach, gastrostomy tube balloon causing gastric outlet obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux
  • Post procedure tasks: flush gastrostomy tube with sterile saline