A case of corrosive digestive tract and lung injury caused by ingestion of pipeline dredging agent / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Ingestion of corrosive substances can severely burn the upper digestive tract leading to bleeding or perforation, and may even be life-threatening. Less commonly, damage to the trachea and bronchi is involved. In this paper, a case of corrosive digestive tract injury and lung injury after oral administration of pipeline dredging agent (the main components are hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hypochlorite, etc.) was analyzed. After active rescue treatment, the patient died of massive hemoptysis. It is suggested that serious complications may occur after ingestion of corrosive substances. Timely diagnosis and reasonable medical management are needed to improve the level of recognition and treatment of such diseases.

Dysphagia due to Chemical Injury or Cervical Spine Injury / 대한연하장애학회지

Caustic injury and spinal cord injury may induce pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction, which frequently elicit dysphagia. Among the causes of dysphagia, these types of injury are related to anatomical and functional deterioration of the peripheral muscles and nerves. Various types of chemical materials cause upper aerodigestive tract burns, which induces stricture and dysphagia by scar formation. Endoscopic evaluation within 48 hours helps to predict the occurrence of stricture and dysphagia. The extent of injury or other additional complications should be assessed by plain X-ray and comupterized tomography (CT). The prevention of stricture, perforation, and dysphagia is a mainstay of treatment to reduce morbidity, and serial dilation with esophagogram and flap reconstruction should be considered in failure cases. Cervical spine injury itself causes mucosal tears or neuromuscular dysfunction, which can occur even during corrective surgery. Perforation should be evaluated by laryngoscopy, swallowing studies, plain X-ray, and CT. Both mechanical and functional obstruction that occur during the healing process can be managed by rehabilitative or surgical approaches. Dysphagia caused by chemical burns or cervical spine injury can provoke secondary complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Thus, adequate evaluation and management of anatomical and functional changes are required to prevent dysphagia and further complications, as well as to increase the quality of life of patients.

Ingesta de cáusticos en niños, experiencia de 3 años / Ingestion of caustic substances in children: 3 years of experience

Introdución: La ingesta accidental de cáusticos en pediatría no dispone de un consenso claro de actuación. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la población pediátrica atendida por ingesta de cáusticos en un centro asistencial. Pacientes y método: Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes atendidos en nuestro hospital por la ingesta de cáusticos durante el período 2008-2011. Resultados: Se atendieron 12 pacientes, edad media de 3,8 años (1-13 años). Predominio de varones (58,8%). Un 58,3% ingirió producto alcalino y un 41,6% ácido. El 58,3% no refería sintomatología, el resto refirió vómitos (33,3%), odinofagia (16,6%), hematemesis (8,3%), sialorrea (8,3%) y dificultad respiratoria (8,3%). El 75% presentaron lesiones en la cavidad oral. Todos, salvo un caso, fueron accidentales. Se realizó endoscopia al 100% entre las 12 y 24 h postingesta con hallazgos patológicos en un 41,6%. En el grupo ingesta de álcalis 2 pacientes presentaron lesiones (16,6%): una esofagitis grado 2B y una grado 3. En el grupo ingesta de ácidos 4 pacientes (33,3%) presentaron lesiones: una esofagitis aguda grado 1-2A, 2 gastritis agudas no erosivas y una gastritis aguda hemorrágica. Se realizó endoscopia de control según los hallazgos endoscópicos previos. Solo 2 presentaron complicaciones posteriores. Conclusiones: Destacamos la valoración endoscópica en las primeras 24 h en todas las ingestas sintomáticas y deliberadas, así como la reevaluación estrecha en las ingestas ácidas, por asociar lesiones diferidas.

Introduction: There is no clear consensus on the management of accidental ingestion of caustic substances in paediatrics. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of the paediatric population treated due to caustic ingestion in a Healthcare Centre. Patients and method: A descriptive study was conducted on patients treated for the ingestion of caustic substances in our hospital during the period 2008-2011. Results: A total of 12 patients were treated, with a mean age of 3.8 years (1-13 years), with the majority males (58.8%). An alkaline product was ingested by 58.3%, and an acid by 41.6%. The majority (58.3%) did not refer to symptoms and the remainder referred to vomiting (33.3%), odynophagia (16.6%), haematemesis (8.3%), hyper-salivation (8.3%) and shortness of breath (8.3%). Oral cavity lesions were observed in 75% of cases. All, except one, were accidental. An endoscopy was performed on all of them (100%) between 12 and 24 hours post-ingestion, with pathological findings in 41.6%. In the group that ingested an alkali, 2 (16.6%) patients had lesions, one a grade 2B and one a grade 3 oesophagitis. In the acid ingestion group, 4 (33.3%) patients had lesions; one grade 1-2A oesophagitis, two acute non-erosive gastritis, and one acute haemorrhagic gastritis. A follow-up endoscopy was performed depending on the previous endoscopic findings. Only two patients presented with complications. Conclusions: Emphasis is placed on the endoscopic evaluation in the first 24 hours of deliberate asymptomatic ingestions, as well as a strict follow-up in those that ingested acids, due to delayed associated lesions.

Intercontinental comparison of caustic ingestion in children / 소아과

PURPOSE: To investigate the caustic ingestion in children among different continents according to demographic characteristics (core purpose), main symptoms, common caustic agents, signs and symptoms, management, treatment and complications. METHODS: This systematic review was performed by searching the databases Science Direct, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and PubMed, electronically and manually. We included studies that were published from 1980 to 2013, at University of Medical Sciences of Tabriz, Iran. A strategic search was performed with keywords including caustic, corrosive, ingestion and children, and was limited to articles in English and Persian. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS ver. 18. RESULTS: Of 63 selected articles of caustic ingestion with 9,888 samples, the proportion of Africa was 3 articles (4.8%) and 95 samples (1%), America 9 articles (14.3%) and 305 sample (3%), Asia 29 articles (46%) and 2,780 samples (28.1%), Europe 17 articles (27%) and 3,002 samples (30.4%), and Oceania 5 articles (7.9%) and 3,706 samples (37.5%). The average age was in the Africa 3.07+/-2.02 years, America 3.17+/-1.83 years, Asia 3.34+/-1.58 years, Europe 3.58+/-2.09 years and Oceania 3.52+/-2.02 years. Sex distribution was in Africa 76 males (0.91%) and 19 females (0.23%), America 49 males (0.58%) and 41 females (0.49%), Asia 1,575 males (18.76%) and 1,087 females (12.95%), Europe 1,018 males (12.13%) and 823 females (9.8%), and Oceania 1,918 males (22.85%) and 1,788 females (21.3%). Statistical analysis of the data indicated higher consumption in Europe and Oceania in the boys with higher average age of years. CONCLUSION: The comparison of caustic ingestion indicated that the cause substances of caustic ingestion in children are different among continents, therefore prevention strategy and different treatment guidelines among continents will be needed.

Estenosis esofágica por ingestión de cáusticos / Esophageal stenosis due to caustic ingestion

RESUMEN Las sustancias químicas son causas importantes de lesiones del tracto gastrointestinal y suelen afectar dos grupos de pacientes: los niños menores de 5 años y los adultos que intentan el suicidio. La principal complicación de la ingesta accidental de cáusticos es la estenosis esofágica. Diferentes formas de tratamiento se han aplicado para tratar las estenosis esofágicas por cáusticos y en primera línea está la dilatación endoscópica, con resultados exitosos en el 60 a 80% de los pacientes. Si estas no son efectivas, se indica el tratamiento quirúrgico de reemplazo esofágico, y entre las técnicas más frecuentes destaca la esofagectomía de dos vías de Ivor Lewis y la esofagectomía transhiatal. Se presenta el caso de un paciente del sexo masculino de 20 años de edad que consultó en el Departamento de Cirugía por cuadro de dificultad para la deglución, con el antecedente de ingestión accidental de soda caústica 2 meses antes. Con estudios imagenológicos y endoscópicos se confirmó el diagnóstico de estenosis esofágica por ingestión de cáusticos. Se le realizó una esofagectomía transhiatal asociado a una yeyunostomía de alimentación. La complicación presentada fue neumotórax bilateral en post operatorio, el cualfue resuelto con tubo de drenaje pleural sellado bajo agua. Se indicó el alta hospitalaria en su 15 día de postoperatorio, con buena tolerancia oral.

ABSTRACT Chemicals are important causes of gastrointestinal tract lesions and usually involve two groups of patients: children under 5 years and adults who attempt suicide. The main complication of accidental ingestion is caustic esophageal stricture. Different forms of treatment have been used to treat esophageal stricture and on the frontline is the endoscopic dilation, with successful results in 60 to 80% of patients. If these are not effective, surgical treatment is indicated with esophageal replacement and the most common techniques are the two-way Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and transhiatal esophagectomy. We present a case of a male patient, aged 20 years, consulting in the Department of Surgery with difficulty to swallowing, with a history of accidental ingestion of caustic soda 2 months before. Imaging and endoscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal stenosis of caustic ingestion. He underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy associated with a feeding jejunostomy. The complication was bilateral pneumothorax presented in the postoparative time, which was resolved with pleural drainage tube sealed under water. He was discharged from hospital in 15 days after surgery, with good oral tolerance.

La ingestión de cáusticos en el niño: un problema de salud pública / The caustic ingestion in children: a public health problem

La ingestión de cáusticos en la edad pediátrica es un problema grave al producir una lesión progresiva y devastadora en el esófago y el estómago. Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 421 pacientes en edades comprendidas de 2 meses a 14 años quienes ingirieron cáusticos entre 1.992 y 2.008, evaluados en el Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. El 60,09% eran pre-escolares y el 62,23% eran del sexo masculino. La sustancia tipo álcali fue ingerida en el 90,73% de los casos y los cáusticos se encontraban almacenados en su envase original en 3,8% y trasegados en el 96,2% de los casos. La ingestión fue de origen accidental en el 99,53%. Todos los pacientes manifestaron alguna sintomatología como lesiones orofaríngeas, vómitos y sialorrea. La evaluación endoscópica se realizó en el 89,31% de los casos y se evidenció lesiones en el tracto gastrointestinal en 60,63%. Los pacientes con Esofagitis Grado III y estenosis esofágica fueron incluidos en el programa de dilatación, con una buena evolución en el 35,91% de ellos. La ingestión de cáusticos constituye un problema frecuente y serio, en su mayoría de origen accidental, afecta principalmente a menores de 6 años y el álcali es el principal agente involucrado. La Endoscopia Digestiva es el estudio por excelencia para evaluar estos pacientes. Las dilataciones esofágicas son moderadamente exitosas. El mejor tratamiento es la prevención.

The caustic ingestion in the pediatric population is a serious problem because produce a progressive and devastating injury to the esophagus and stomach. Retrospective and descriptive study of 421 patients with age from 2 months to 14 years who ingested caustic between 1.992 to 2.008 evaluated at the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. The 60.09% were pre-school and 62.23% were male. The substance type alkali was swallowed by 90.73% of cases and the caustics were stored in its original packaging by 3.8% and decanted in 96.2% of cases. Intake was accidental source in 99.53%. All patients showed some symptoms as oropharyngeal lesions, vomiting and drooling. Endoscopy evaluation was performed by 89.31% of cases and revealed gastrointestinal tract injuries in 60.63%. Patients with grade 3 Esophagitis and esophageal stricture were admitted in the dilatation program with a good success in 35.91% of them. The caustic ingestion is a common and serious problem, mostly from accidental origin, mainly affects children under 6 years and the alkali is the principal agent involved. The Esophagoscopy is the ideal mean for evaluate these patients. The esophageal dilatations are moderately successful. The best treatment is the prevention.

Clinical characteristics and predisposing factors for complication of caustic injury of the upper digestive tract / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Accidental or suicidal ingestion of caustic agents is not uncommon. The caustic injury of upper digestive tract can lead to severe stenotic sequelae. We attempt to investigate clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings and predisposing factors of development of complications of caustic injury. METHODS: The medical records of 77 patients admitted to our department for caustic ingestion from March, 1993 to June, 2004 were reviewed. All patients underwent initial endoscopic examinations and caustic lesions were graded according to Zargar's classification (Grade 0~III). RESULTS: Strictures of the esophagus and the stomach occurred in 12 patients (15.6%) and 3 patients (3.9%), respectively. The development of esophageal or gastric stricture was more frequent when the grade of caustic injury of the esophagus or the stomach was more severe. Hemorrhage from exposed vessels of the injured esophagus and stomach was seen in one patient and so was jejunal hemorrhage. Two patients (2.6%) died of multiple-organ failure. All cases of hemorrhage and death resulted from grade III lesions of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The type or amount of the caustic agent, duration between ingestion and endoscopic examination, and initial treatment with steroid and/or antibiotics did not correlate with the development of stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Caustic injury of the esophagus and the stomach was significantly associated with esophageal stricture. Early endoscopic examination was very useful for predicting the development of complications and prognosis after caustic injury.

Estudo morfológico macro e microscópico da gastrite cáustica em ratos / Macro and microscopic morphology of caustic gastritis in rats

OBJETIVOS: A ingestão de álcalis provoca graves lesões no tubo digestório alto. A comercialização de substâncias cáusticas em forma líquida facilita o seu uso com intenções suicidas e torna as afecções por elas provocadas relativamente comuns. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as conseqüências morfológicas da infusão de substância cáustica no estômago murino. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 20 ratos Wistar adultos, de ambos os sexos. Após jejum alimentar de 12 horas, instilou-se 1ml de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) a 5 por cento através de cateter orogástrico. Os ratos foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=5), de acordo com o tempo de acompanhamento: 24 horas, sete dias, 30 dias e 90 dias, respectivamente. Decorrido o tempo de acompanhamento, os ratos foram mortos e seus estômagos foram avaliados macro e microscopicamente. RESULTADOS: Após 24 horas, os estômagos estavam dilatados e com aderências ao fígado, omentos e pâncreas. Suas mucosa e submucosa apresentavam áreas de necrose de coagulação do corpo e do antro entremeada por intensa infiltração bacteriana. Após sete dias, os estômagos permaneciam dilatados e mantendo o mesmo padrão necrótico anterior, porém sem os focos sépticos. Nos grupos de um e três meses, a cavidade abdominal teve aspecto normal. Os estômagos apresentavam consistência endurecida e com proliferação fibrovascular. CONCLUSÃO: Os animais que sobreviveram à necrose e à intensa infiltração bacteriana da primeira semana desenvolveram reparação progressiva de seus estômagos, porém acompanhada de complicações decorrentes da fibrose cicatricial.

BACKGROUND: Alkali ingestion causes severe injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Currently, a large variety of these agents may be found in liquid form, increasing their use in suicide attempts and accidental ingestion. The goal of the present study was to evaluate morphological effects of alkali ingestion in murine stomach. METHOD: Twenty adult rats, of both sexes were submitted to NaOH-5 percent gastric infusion through an orogastric catheter. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5), and studied after 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days and 90 days, respectively. The animals were killed and their stomach and abdominal cavity were assessed. RESULTS: After 24 hours, mucosa and submucosa presented coagulation necrosis, with a mild acute transmural inflammation with polymorphonuclear infiltration and numerous necrotic focci. After 7 days, the necrotic aspect was the same, but with no necrosis. In the groups of 30 and 90 days the abdominal cavity recovered its normal aspect. Stomachs showed fibrosis, rigidity and fibrovascular proliferation. CONCLUSION: The rats that survived to necrosis and bacterial infiltration during the first weeks, developed progressive healing of their stomachs, maintaining the risk of complications due to intense fibrosis.

Balloon catheter dilation of esophageal caustic ingestion stenosis in children / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the methods and effect of balloon catheter dilation of esophageal caustic ingestion stenosis in children. Methods We analysed 18 cases, including 10 cases of esophageal stenosis due to ingestion of sulphuric acid, 7 cases of esophageal stenosis caused by ingestion of sodium carbonate and the last one through ingestion of chemical materials include zinc sulphate. Barium esophagogram was taken before dilation for every patient and the balloon size varied from 4 mm?40 mm to 16 mm?40 mm or 20 mm?40 mm in diameter was selected for the procedure. Results 18 cases were all successful in dilation by balloon catheter, without esophageal perforation and other complications. The satisfactory results maintained from six months to thirty months with remarkable improvement clinicoly. Conclusions Balloon catheter dilation is a simple, safe and reliable method for the treatment of esophageal caustic ingestion stenosis in children, and should be recommended as the first choice.