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Gastric Xylobezoar Treated with Continuous Enteral Coca-Cola® Infusion
Gopinathan Gangadharan Nambiar1, Eyad Hanna2, Julia Shelton3
1Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology Pancreatology, Nutrition University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa, USA.
Insights
A rare xylobezoar, or paper bezoar, can cause gastrointestinal obstruction in children. Continuous enteral Coca-Cola infusion successfully dissolved a pediatric xylobezoar, offering a novel treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Xylobezoar is a rare gastrointestinal condition involving undigested paper accumulation.
- It can lead to obstruction, particularly in children with prior gastric surgery, motility issues, or pica.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient presented with symptoms suggestive of xylobezoar.
- Standard treatments like endoscopic removal were considered challenging.
Findings:
- The case involved a pediatric patient diagnosed with xylobezoar.
- Successful treatment was achieved through continuous enteral Coca-Cola infusion, leading to chemical dissolution of the bezoar.
Implications:
- This case highlights Coca-Cola infusion as a potential non-surgical treatment for xylobezoars.
- It suggests a novel therapeutic approach for managing bezoars in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
Xylobezoar is a rare clinical condition in which undigested paper becomes trapped in the gastrointestinal tract causing varying degrees of gastrointestinal obstruction. This condition can be suspected in children with a history of gastric surgeries, decreased gastrointestinal motility, or pica. Xylobezoar presents with symptoms ranging from chronic abdominal pain to gastrointestinal perforation. Surgical intervention is often required as endoscopic removal is challenging and not always successful. Chemical dissolution has been shown to be effective in treating certain bezoars. Here, we report a case of a pediatric patient with xylobezoar who was successfully treated with continuous enteral Coca-Cola® infusion.
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