Update on the diagnosis and treatment of caustic ingestion

Ochsner J. 2009 Summer;9(2):54-9.

Abstract

Caustic ingestion is a serious medical problem with a variety of clinical presentations and a complicated clinical course. This article reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of caustic ingestion as well as the most current approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Finally, a recent case will be presented that highlights the difficulty this problem poses to a medical team.

Keywords: Caustic ingestion; caustic substance; corrosive injury; corrosive substance; endoscopy; esophageal stricture.