title: Comparison of gastrostomy tube replacement verification using air insufflation versus gastrograffin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the safety of air insufflation as a contrast medium for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube replacement verification with that of the more traditional method using positive contrast material (gastrograffin) under fluoroscopic guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series comparing 2 radiographic procedures used for PEG tube verification at a rehabilitation hospital. The first series reviewed studies of patients over 1 year, during which the method of choice for PEG tube replacement verification was with air insufflation. The second series reviewed studies of patients over the subsequent year, during which the method of choice for PEG tube replacement verification was with gastrograffin.
  
  
  METHODS
  An inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients and 29 PEG tube replacements were identified that used air insufflation and 17 patients and 19 PEG tube replacements were identified that used gastrograffin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical complications in a 2-week follow-up period as a result of the verification procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no cases in either of the replacement procedures in which the PEG tube was found to not be in the gastrointestinal system. There was also no evidence at 2-week follow-up that any of the patients' complications were the result of either procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The air contrast procedure appears to be a relatively safe alternative procedure for PEG tube replacement verification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. dburke1@partners.org
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Shami
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heinle
authors.forename: Burt D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Pina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011029:Pneumoradiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine