R S Pobiel1, G S Bisset, M S Pobiel. 1. Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-2899.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Experience with fluoroscopically guided nasojejunal feeding tube placement in children was assessed regarding clinical diagnosis, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, success rate, and placement failures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1991, 562 nasojejunal tubes were placed in 232 patients aged 1 week to 24 years (mean, 3 1/2 years) at the authors' institution. In every case, an 8-F feeding tube system was inserted. The fluoroscopy times and tube placement positions were evaluated in all cases. RESULTS: The mean fluoroscopy time was 5 minutes 30 seconds, which corresponded to an estimated mean midline fluoroscopy dose of 0.32 cGy. The tube was placed at or distal to the duodenojejunal junction in 543 attempts, for a success rate of 97%. The most common cause for unsuccessful tube placement was malrotation, with the fluoroscopic time and radiation dose significantly (P < .001) prolonged in these cases. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic guidance of placement of nasojejunal feeding tubes in children is successful, but the radiation exposure is not negligible and must be weighed against the need for nasojejunal feeding.
PURPOSE: Experience with fluoroscopically guided nasojejunal feeding tube placement in children was assessed regarding clinical diagnosis, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, success rate, and placement failures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1991, 562 nasojejunal tubes were placed in 232 patients aged 1 week to 24 years (mean, 3 1/2 years) at the authors' institution. In every case, an 8-F feeding tube system was inserted. The fluoroscopy times and tube placement positions were evaluated in all cases. RESULTS: The mean fluoroscopy time was 5 minutes 30 seconds, which corresponded to an estimated mean midline fluoroscopy dose of 0.32 cGy. The tube was placed at or distal to the duodenojejunal junction in 543 attempts, for a success rate of 97%. The most common cause for unsuccessful tube placement was malrotation, with the fluoroscopic time and radiation dose significantly (P < .001) prolonged in these cases. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic guidance of placement of nasojejunal feeding tubes in children is successful, but the radiation exposure is not negligible and must be weighed against the need for nasojejunal feeding.