A case of nasogastric tube perforation of the nasopharynx causing a fatal mediastinal complication.
Iatrogenic nasopharyngeal perforations secondary to improper nasogastric tube insertion probably occur more frequently than has been reported. Our review of the literature found very few cases. We report the case of a 79-year-old woman who died of mediastinal complications following the improper insertion of a nasogastric tube that resulted in a nasopharyngeal perforation. We also review the proper technique for inserting these tubes.
Ronen
Ohad
O
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Carmel Medical Center and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. nativronen@gmail.com
Uri
Nechama
N
D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000293:injuries*; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology