[Gastrostomy tubes inserted with radiologic techniques].

Radiologic techniques can be used for patients in need of long-term enteral nutritional support. In particular, these techniques can provide solutions when endoscopic techniques cannot be performed. Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy is an alternative to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Percutaneous radiologic transgastric jejunostomy should be reserved for patients with proven gastroesophageal reflux. When both are not possible, percutaneous radiologic jejunostomy is indicated. Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and percutaneous radiologic transgastric jejunostomy have a high technical success rate (> or = 91-95%). The success rate of percutaneous radiologic jejunostomy is lower (85-88%). With radiologic techniques, major complications occur in 0.5-13% of cases. The percentage of complications for percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and percutaneous radiologic transgastric jejunostomy are lower than those for percutaneous radiologic jejunostomy. The less serious, mostly late-onset complications (2.9-13%) are usually easy to treat. Radiologic techniques have a higher initial success rate but more late-onset complications than endoscopic techniques.