Inadvertent insertion of nasogastric tube into the brain

An unusual case of a nasogastric (Ryle's) tube inserted in the brain in a patient having severe head injury with skull base fractures is reported here along with a brief review of literature. A 35 years male was referred from a peripheral institute following head trauma with endotracheal tube and nasogastric tube in situ. A CT scan of the brain showed multiple skull base fractures and a high parietal extradural hematoma. It also revealed that the nasogastric tube had inadvertently found its way into the brain through the lamina cribrosa of the ethmoid bone. The tube was removed under aseptic conditions in the operation theatre but the patient expired on day 2 of admission due to the head injuries sustained.