[Pneumothorax from a nasogastric feeding tube]. 1996

Y Nakano, and E Takeuchi, and T Tsuchiya, and A Sato
Department of Internal Medicine, Kakegawa Municipal Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.

An 83-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever and disturbance of consciousness. Pneumonia and multiple organ failure were diagnosed from symptoms, a chest X-ray film, and laboratory findings. With the administration of antibiotics and an antiprotease inhibitor, the pneumonia and multiple organ failure began to resolve, but consciousness remained disturbed. A nasogastric feeding tube was inserted to provide parenteral nutrition. Neither abnormal resistance nor reflex coughing were noted during insertion. Bubbling rales were not heard on auscultation, and a chest X-ray film revealed that the tube had traversed the right bronchial tree, perforated the lung, coiled up in the right pleural vavity, and caused a right pneumothorax. The tube was immediately removed. The pneumothorax was treated with an intercostal drainage tube for 1 day and resolved without further problems. This case shows one of the dangers involved in inserting nasogastric feeding tubes. The medical community should be aware that pulmonary complications may develop after such tubes are inserted in patients with risk factors.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007049 Iatrogenic Disease Any adverse condition in a patient occurring as the result of treatment by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional, especially infections acquired by a patient during the course of treatment. Hospital-Acquired Condition,Condition, Hospital-Acquired,Conditions, Hospital-Acquired,Disease, Iatrogenic,Diseases, Iatrogenic,Hospital Acquired Condition,Hospital-Acquired Conditions,Iatrogenic Diseases
D007441 Intubation, Gastrointestinal The insertion of a tube into the stomach, intestines, or other portion of the gastrointestinal tract to allow for the passage of food products, etc. Intubation, Nasogastric,Gastrointestinal Intubation,Gastrointestinal Intubations,Intubations, Gastrointestinal,Intubations, Nasogastric,Nasogastric Intubation,Nasogastric Intubations
D009102 Multiple Organ Failure A progressive condition usually characterized by combined failure of several organs such as the lungs, liver, kidney, along with some clotting mechanisms, usually postinjury or postoperative. MODS,Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome,Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, Multiple,Organ Failure, Multiple,Failure, Multiple Organ,Multiple Organ Failures
D011030 Pneumothorax An accumulation of air or gas in the PLEURAL CAVITY, which may occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma or a pathological process. The gas may also be introduced deliberately during PNEUMOTHORAX, ARTIFICIAL. Pneumothorax, Primary Spontaneous,Pressure Pneumothorax,Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Tension Pneumothorax,Pneumothorax, Pressure,Pneumothorax, Spontaneous,Pneumothorax, Tension,Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Primary
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D003244 Consciousness Disorders Organic mental disorders in which there is impairment of the ability to maintain awareness of self and environment and to respond to environmental stimuli. Dysfunction of the cerebral hemispheres or brain stem RETICULAR FORMATION may result in this condition. Consciousness, Level Altered,Disorder of Consciousness,Disorders of Consciousness,Semiconsciousness,Altered Level of Consciousness,Consciousness, Level Depressed,Depressed Level of Consciousness,Consciousness Disorder
D004750 Enteral Nutrition Nutritional support given via the alimentary canal or any route connected to the gastrointestinal system (i.e., the enteral route). This includes oral feeding, sip feeding, and tube feeding using nasogastric, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy tubes. Enteral Feeding,Force Feeding,Nutrition, Enteral,Tube Feeding,Gastric Feeding Tubes,Feeding Tube, Gastric,Feeding Tubes, Gastric,Feeding, Enteral,Feeding, Force,Feeding, Tube,Feedings, Force,Force Feedings,Gastric Feeding Tube,Tube, Gastric Feeding,Tubes, Gastric Feeding
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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