CT findings after uncomplicated percutaneous gastrostomy

CT scans of the upper abdomen were obtained 1 hr to 9 days after percutaneous placement of feeding gastrostomy in 18 patients in order to establish a range of normal postprocedural findings. A majority of patients (56%) had pneumoperitoneum. Additional findings included abdominal wall hematomas in six patients (33%) and gastric hematomas in three patients (17%). Except for one case of mild ascites in an individual with large hepatic metastases, no abdominal fluid collections were discovered. After percutaneous gastrostomy, pneumoperitoneum and abdominal wall or gastric hematomas are commonly present. Presence of subcutaneous emphysema, free peritoneal fluid, or a loculated abdominal fluid collection should alert one to a possible complication.