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[Acute drug-induced esophagitis]
Insights
Tablet-induced esophageal injury is common. A 10-year-old experienced severe esophageal necrosis after taking a tablet without water, but recovered quickly with supportive care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal Pathology
Background:
- Medication-induced esophageal lesions are a recognized clinical issue.
- Tablets, particularly when taken without adequate water, pose a risk for esophageal injury.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old child developed extensive esophageal mucosal necrosis.
- The injury occurred after ingesting a Rhinasal tablet at bedtime without water.
Findings:
- Fiberoptic endoscopy revealed inflammatory mucosal lesions.
- Lesions showed significant recovery within 3 days.
- No specific local or systemic treatment was required.
Implications:
- Esophageal injury from oral medications can be severe but may resolve spontaneously.
- Prompt diagnosis via endoscopy is crucial for management.
- This case highlights the importance of adequate water intake with oral medications in children.
Abstract:
Esophageal lesions due to treatment with medication in the form of tablets are frequent. The authors report the case of a 10 year-old child who presented with extended mucosal necrosis of the esophagus after having been given a tablet of Rhinasal in the evening, without concomitant ingestion of water. A fiberoptic endoscopy was performed 3 days after the onset and showed the recovery of the mucosal inflammatory lesions, without local or general treatment, allowing oral feeding of the child after the 4th day.