Acid corrosive esophagitis: radiographic findings

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Corrosive esophagitis is a severe injury to the esophagus.
• Muriatic acid (27% hydrochloric acid) ingestion can result from suicide attempts.
• Understanding the radiographic manifestations is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the radiographic findings of corrosive esophagitis caused by muriatic acid ingestion.
• To characterize the changes in acute, subacute, and chronic phases.
• To compare these findings with those of alkaline corrosive esophagitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 39 esophagograms from 24 patients.
• Patients had ingested muriatic acid (27% HCI) in suicide attempts.
• Esophagograms were analyzed across acute, subacute, and chronic phases.

Main Results:

• Acute and subacute phases showed mucosal edema, submucosal edema/hemorrhage, ulcerations, sloughing, atony, and dilatation.
• Chronic phase findings included esophageal strictures.
• Radiographic findings were indistinguishable from those seen in alkaline corrosive esophagitis.

Conclusions:

• Muriatic acid ingestion leads to characteristic radiographic findings in corrosive esophagitis.
• The severity of esophageal injury correlates with the concentration, amount, viscosity, and contact time of the caustic agent.
• Radiographic presentation of acid-induced esophagitis is similar to alkali-induced esophagitis.