MediAI

  Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube: A Lifesaving Intervention in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Figure 1.   Fluoroscopic image showing correctly placed Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with gastric and esophageal balloons inflated. Introduction The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SBT) remains a critical tool in the management of life-threatening esophageal variceal hemorrhage , particularly in settings where endoscopic hemostasis or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are not immediately available. First introduced in the 1950s, this balloon tamponade device has proven its value in emergent hemostasis for patients with portal hypertension-induced variceal bleeding . In this expert column, we will explore the indications, technique, complications, imaging role, and clinical pearls associated with Sengstaken-Blakemore tube placement, based on real-world radiologic case data. What Is the Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube? The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is a triple-lumen...