Radiological Confirmation of Enteral Feeding Tube Placement Before Initiating Enteral Nutrition: A Review.

Radiological confirmation of enteral feeding tube placement is widely regarded as the gold standard for verifying the position of blind-inserted feeding tubes before initiating enteral nutrition. Misplacement of feeding tubes into the respiratory tract or incorrect positioning within the gastrointestinal tract can lead to severe complications, including aspiration pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary injury, and death. Although bedside methods such as pH testing are useful for ongoing monitoring, radiographic imaging remains the most accurate technique for confirming initial tube placement. This review summarizes the indications for radiological confirmation, imaging techniques, interpretation criteria, advantages, limitations, complications associated with incorrect placement, and current evidence-based recommendations.