Inadvertent gastric balloon inflation within the chest in the management of esophageal varices.

Balloon tamponade of esophageal variceal hemorrhage is palliative therapy which is associated with a certain incidence of morbidity, perhaps mortality. Three cases of intrathoracic inflation of the gastric balloon of such tubes are described. The precise mechanism of thoracic placement remains uncertain. Fluoroscopy or chest x-ray should be used to confirm appropriate tube tip placement.