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Pill-induced esophageal injury
1Gastroenterology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Medicinal pills delayed in the esophagus can cause ulceration, pain, bleeding, or stricture. Taking pills with water and upright reduces the risk of serious esophageal injury.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Caustic medicinal pills can cause esophageal injury if transit is delayed.
- Esophageal ulceration from pills is typically mild but can lead to severe complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors and potential complications associated with delayed esophageal transit of caustic medicinal pills.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical cases and literature on esophageal pill injury.
- Analysis of patient factors contributing to delayed transit and adverse outcomes.
Main Results:
- Delayed esophageal transit of caustic pills can lead to ulceration, hemorrhage, perforation, or stricture.
- Risk factors include taking pills without water, lying down, and pre-existing esophageal compression (e.g., from left atrial enlargement).
- Patients with a history of cardiac surgery are at increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Prompt esophageal transit of medications is crucial to prevent serious injury.
- Patient education on proper pill-taking (with water, upright) is essential.
- Awareness of increased risk in specific patient populations (e.g., post-cardiac surgery) is important for prevention and management.