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Massive pan-gastrointestinal bleeding following cocaine use
Troy Emanuel Gibbons1, Kadria Sayed, George Joseph Fuchs
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, USA. gibbonstroye@uams.edu
World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|September 1, 2009
Summary
Cocaine use can cause widespread ischemic injury throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, leading to severe bleeding. This case highlights extensive gut damage beyond typical findings in cocaine abuse.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- A young patient with cystic fibrosis presented with severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Standard diagnostic methods were initially inconclusive.
Observation:
- Upper and lower endoscopy failed to identify the source of bleeding.
- Wireless capsule endoscopy was crucial in diagnosing the condition.
Findings:
- Pan-gastrointestinal ischemic injury was identified as the cause of bleeding.
- The patient reported recent cocaine ingestion.
Implications:
- Cocaine-induced ischemic gut injury can be extensive, affecting the entire GI tract.
- This widespread injury may contribute to the high mortality rates associated with cocaine abuse.
- Clinicians should consider cocaine use in patients with unexplained GI bleeding and ischemic injury.
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