21/07/2025
Did you know that IR plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life for patients facing severe neurological conditions (such as ALS, Parkinson’s, or post-stroke patients)? 🤔
💡 A radiologically inserted gastrostomy procedure enables safe, long-term enteral access in patients with dysphagia, particularly in neurologic or oncologic palliative care. Performed under a local anaesthesia, it is associated with high technical success (>95%) and low major complication rates.
❓ Clinical question:
Which of the following patients would most appropriately receive a rather than a (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)?
a) A 65-year-old man with advanced ALS, non-invasive ventilation, poor cough reflex, and progressive bulbar symptoms
b) A 71-year-old woman with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, well-controlled tremor, and mild oral-phase dysphagia
c) A 68-year-old stroke survivor, stable for 10 weeks, with persistent moderate dysphagia and no signs of aspiration
d) A 74-year-old with primary progressive MS, fully alert, with good respiratory function, but mild trismus
What’s your answer, and why? Share your reasoning in the comments. 👇
We’ll break it down in the next post using current guidelines and real- life decision-making. Stay tuned!
