Corrosive oesophagitis: Radiological study.

ABSTRACT

Thirty-six oesophagograms of 24 patients after ingestion of 75-90% formic acid in suicide attempts were reviewed. AII oesophagograms were obtained in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases. In the acute and suhacute phases, the radiographic findings consisted of mucosal oedema, submucosal oedema or haemorrhages, ulcerations, sloughing of the moucosa, atony and dilatiation. Stricture of the oesophsgus was present in the chronic phase. The severity of the corrosive oesophagitis was considerably related to the concentration, amount, and duration of contact between the caustic agent and the oesophageal mucosa.