Esophageal rupture due to Sengstaken-Blakemore tube misplacement

Abstract

The author presents three cases of esophageal rupture during the treatment of massive esophageal variceal bleeding with Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube. In each case, simple auscultation was used to guide SB tube insertion, with chest radiograph obtained only after complete inflation of the gastric balloon. Two patients died of hemorrhagic shock and one died of mediastinitis. The author suggests that confirmation of SB tube placement by auscultation alone may not be adequate. Routine chest radiographs should be obtained before and after full inflation of the gastric balloon to confirm tube position and to detect tube dislocation.

Key Words: Chest radiograph; Esophageal rupture; Sengstaken-Blakemore tube

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal rupture is a well-known but rarely reported fatal complication of the management of bleeding esophageal varices with the Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube[1]. Described below are three cases of fatal esophageal rupture with striking radiographs showing the gastric balloon of the SB tube inflated in the thoracic cavity. A routine pre-inflation chest radiograph should have prevented esophageal perforation due to malposition of the SB tube in these cases.

CASE REPORTS

Case 1

A 38-year-old man was admitted with massive hematemesis. On physical examination, his blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and temperature were 86/50 mmHg, 126 bpm, 24/min, and 37.3 °C, respectively. Pale conjunctivae, icteric sclera, splenomegaly, and spider angiomata were also observed. Resuscitation was started with normal saline, packed red cells and platelet concentrates. When stabilized, an emergency esophago-gastroduodenoscopy was performed, which revealed active bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices.

Despite aggressive therapies with fluids, blood components and full-dose terlipressin, the patient deteriorated into coma due to hemorrhagic shock. He was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) for insertion of an SB tube. Endotracheal intubation was accomplished to secure airway before the procedure. A chest radiograph taken soon after tracheal intubation and inflation of the gastric balloon to 300 mL showed a radiolucent area behind the heart (Figure 1). The gastric balloon was immediately deflated and the SB tube removed (2 h after insertion). A repeated chest radiograph revealed massive left hemothorax. As the patient was deemed unfit for surgery, he was treated conservatively. The patient died when a further episode of massive hematemesis developed 44 h after admission.

Figure 1 Chest radiographs indicating gastric balloon of SB tube, behind the heart shadow.

Case 2

A 49-year-old man was admitted to the ICU due to uncontrolled hematemesis from ruptured esophageal varices and hepatic encephalopathy. Physical examination showed that he was in deep coma (Glasgow coma scale of E2M1V1) and severe hypotension (BP 60/40 mmHg). Rapid endotracheal intubation followed by insertion of an SB tube was performed without difficulties. However, a chest radiograph ordered to check tube positions demonstrated a radiolucent circle (the gastric balloon) within the left hemithorax (Figure 2). The patient died of shock-related multiple organ failure on the third day of admission.

Figure 2 Chest radiographs indicating gastric balloon of SB tube, within the left lower hemithorax.

Case 3

A 43-year-old male alcoholic was treated in the ICU for convulsions due to decompensated hepatic cirrhosis with grade IV encephalopathy. He was tracheally intubated with a Glasgow coma scale of E2M2VT. His vital signs were within the normal limits. However, he suffered a massive hematemesis on the third day of admission, which was the result of ruptured esophageal varices. An SB tube was inserted and a chest radiograph later showed a radiolucent area within the lower mediastinum (Figure 3). The patient developed fever, leukocytosis and shock in the following days and a chest computer tomography (CT) revealed findings compatible with mediastinitis. He died of sepsis 12 d after the admission.

Figure 3 Chest radiographs indicating gastric balloon of SB tube, in the lower mediastinum.

DISCUSSION

The management of acute bleeding episodes from ruptured esophageal varices consists of volume replacement, pharmacological, mechanical (balloon tamponade), and surgical modes of arresting hemorrhage. While balloon tamponade using SB tube is effective in achieving initial hemostasis, it has a significant complication rate. The most common complications of esophageal balloon therapy for varices include aspiration, esophageal perforation, and pressure necrosis of the mucosa[2]. The exact incidence of complications is difficult to determine, as it varies with the skill and experience of the surgical team, the duration of treatment, and the status of the patient. Aspiration of secretions is the most common complication of balloon tamponade, occurring in approximately 10%-20% of cases[3].

As described in past literature, cases with esophageal perforation can occur as a result of difficult SB tube insertion[4], retching and vomiting[5], and repeated endoscopic sclerotherapy[6]. In each of our cases, the SB tube was inserted without documented difficulties. Intragastric position was confirmed with auscultation. A radiographic localization of the SB tube before full inflation of the gastric balloon was ignored. The diagnosis of esophageal perforation in each case was confirmed by a follow-up chest radiograph taken after full inflation of the gastric balloon. Though uncommon, esophageal rupture due to SB tube misplacement carries a high incidence of mortality from hemothorax or septic mediastinitis, as demonstrated in our patients.

In conclusion, following insertion of the SB tube, confirmation of tube placement by auscultation alone may not be adequate. Routine chest radiographs should be obtained before and after full inflation of the gastric balloon to confirm correct tube position and to detect tube dislocation as soon as possible.