Buried Balloon Syndrome After Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy: Two Case Reports and a Literature Review

Buried balloon syndrome is a rare condition in which a balloon-retained gastrostomy catheter becomes embedded within the gastric or abdominal wall, potentially leading to catheter dysfunction, leakage, local infection, or even peritonitis. Despite its clinical significance, this complication remains under-recognized and has been reported only in anecdotal case studies. In Korea, the shift from pigtail-retained to balloon-retained catheters for percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy has increased awareness of this uncommon adverse event. This report presents two cases of buried balloon syndrome following percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy and outlines their clinical features, imaging findings, and management approaches. Given the potential for serious consequences if unrecognized, increased awareness of this condition among healthcare providers-particularly interventional radiologists-is essential.