Oesophageal perforation by migrated Ryles tube

Abstract

A 72-year woman with a history of multiple cerebrovascular accidents presented with severe epigastric pain. An oesophageal perforation by the tip of a Ryles tube, which had migrated into the mediastinum, was diagnosed by radiography. An attempt at pushing the nasogastric tube into the stomach resulted in increasing the rupture to about 6 cm in size. Replacement by a triple-lumen nasojejunal feeding tube and subsequent feeding with c.1,400 calories per day enabled the perforation to close without further intervention.