Evaluation of corrosive poisoning in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, endoscopy results, emerging complications and the final status of caustic intake cases admitted to our emergency department. METHOD: This study is a retrospective one concerning patients admitted to our emergency department due to caustic ingestion. Demographic characteristics of the patients, complaints while applying to the hospital, physical examination findings, the purpose of caustic intake, the characteristics of corrosive substance taken, times of endoscopy following admission to the emergency department, follow-up times in the emergency department, endoscopic staging and outcome. The data were analyzed through IBM SPSS Statistics Base 22.0 package program. RESULTS: Seventy four patients participated in the study. 83.8% of corrosive substance intake cases were accidental and 16.2% cases were suicidal intention. While 60.8% of the corrosive substances taken had alkaline property, 36.5% were acidic and 2.7% were found to be unknown substances. 50% of the corrosive substance intakes were sodium hypochlorite. It was seen that endoscopy was performed in 59 patients who accepted endoscopy within an average of 244.07 min after admission to the emergency department. While no damage could be seen in 55.9% of patients following endoscopy, the most common injury was Grade 1 (35.6%). CONCLUSION: Corrosive substance intake is a rare but potentially devastating poisoning with high morbidity and mortality. Mucosal injury begins within minutes following corrosive intake. Therefore, early endoscopy is helpful in assessing the degree of injury and early discharge from hospital.

Geospatial correlation between COVID-19 health misinformation and poisoning with household cleaners in the Greater Boston Area.

INTRODUCTION: Calls to poison control about exposure to household cleaners have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This dynamic may reflect increased exposure from public health efforts as well as health misinformation shared on social media. METHODS: We analyzed the dynamics of calls to the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MARI PCC) and tweets discussing treating COVID-19 with house cleaners from January 20, 2020 to May 5, 2020. We obtained publicly available tweets discussing the use of household cleaners to "cure COVID" from the same time period with geographic co-ordinates indicating that they were emitted from the Greater Boston Area. RESULTS: Our main finding is that public health efforts were followed by a sustained increase in calls after March 15, 2020 (10 ± 2 calls per day before to 15 ± 2.5 after) while misinformation on social media was associated with intermittent spikes in calls. Overall, calls significantly increased during the study period by 34% as compared to the previous 8 years, mostly reporting unintentional ingestions with no serious effects. The daily volume of tweets and retweets was significantly correlated with daily call rates to MARI PCC for the surrounding 7-10 days. CONCLUSIONS: Health misinformation on social media about using household cleaning agents to treat COVID-19 and public health efforts lead to different dynamics in PCC calls. Public health efforts were followed by a sustained increase in calls after March 15, 2020 while misinformation on social media was followed by intermittent spikes in calls. This analysis is the first to link the geospatial dynamics of social media and public health interventions to poison center calls about exposure to household cleaners.

Acute chemical ingestion in the under 19 population in South Korea: A brief report.

BACKGROUND: Most people are frequently exposed to chemicals and chemical products. This study provides basic information on the outcomes of acute chemical ingestion of patients aged under 19 years. METHODS: Patients aged under 19 years who had ingested chemicals and thus visited the emergency department between January 2011 and December 2016 were included in this study. RESULTS: In all, 1,247 patients included (1,145 in the unintentional group and 102 in the intentional group). The mean age was 3.27±4.77 in the unintentional ingestion group and 16.49±1.94 in the intentional group. In the unintentional group, detergents were most frequently ingested (by 219 patients), followed by hypochlorite-based agents, ethanol, sodium hydroxide, acetone, silica gel, and citric acid. Cases of boric acid (odds ratio [OR] = 6.131), ethylene glycol (OR = 6.541), glacial acetic acid (OR = 7.644), other hydrocarbons (OR = 4.496), hypochlorite-based agent (OR = 2.627), nicotine (OR = 5.635), and sodium peroxocarbonate (OR = 6.783) ingestion was associated with a significantly high admission rate. In the intentional group, there were 54 cases of ingestion of hypochlorite-based agent, followed by detergent, ethylene glycol, ethanol, methanol and sodium peroxycarbonate. The significant risk factors for admission in the intentional group were ingestion of ethylene glycol (OR = 37.333) and hypochlorite-based agent (OR = 5.026). There was no mortality case. CONCLUSION: The most commonly ingested substances were sodium hypochlorite (hypochlorite-related agent), surfactants (detergent and soap), and ethanol. The ingestion of hypochlorite or ethylene glycol was the main risk factor for admission. Intentional ingestion was higher in adolescents than in children.

Severe hyperammonemia from intense skeletal muscle activity: A rare case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Adult hyperammonemia is most often the result of hepatic dysfunction. Hyperammonemia in the setting of normal hepatic function is a much less common phenomenon and has usually been associated with medications and certain disease states. Here, we present an unusual case of severe hyperammonemia caused physiologically by intense muscle activity in a patient lacking any evidence of liver disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 36-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department for a suicide attempt after being found covered in Lysol and Clorox germicidal bleach. She was noted to be in a state of violent psychosis with extreme agitation and had to be sedated and intubated for airway protection. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS: Initial labs revealed hyperammonemia, lactic acidosis, and anion gap metabolic acidosis. Aminotransferases, bilirubin, and creatine kinase (CK) were normal. Renal function, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio were also unremarkable and remained so at 24 hours. Ethyl alcohol, acetaminophen, salicylate, and valproic acid were all undetectable in blood. She received 2 doses of lactulose overnight, with a subsequent bowel movement. Next day, her mentation, serum ammonia level, and lactic acid level were back to normal, and she was extubated. Aminotransferases and CK levels were elevated but improved with supportive care. A detailed history and relevant biochemical investigations were unremarkable for any other etiology of hyperammonemia including the common inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). The combination of clinical findings of extreme skeletal muscle activity along with hyperammonemia and lactic acidosis, and subsequently rhabdomyolysis in the setting of unremarkable history and otherwise normal hepatic function strongly suggest the myokinetic origin of hyperammonemia in the patient. OUTCOME: The patient recovered well with supportive care and was discharged on day 5. LESSONS: This unique case illustrates the important role of skeletal muscle in the human metabolism of ammonia. In our discussion, we also elucidate the underlying pathophysiology, with the objective of improving clinician understanding of various differential diagnoses.

The clinical toxicology of sodium hypochlorite.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching and disinfecting agent and is commonly found in household bleach. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to review critically the epidemiology, mechanisms of toxicity, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of hypochlorite poisoning. METHODS: PubMed was searched from January 1950 to June 2018 using the terms "Hypochlorite", "Sodium Hypochlorite", "Sodium Oxychloride", "Hypochlorous Acid", "Bleach", "Chlorine Bleach", in combination with the keywords "poisoning", "poison", "toxicity", "ingestion", "adverse effects", "overdose", and "intoxication". In addition, bibliographies of identified articles were screened for additional relevant studies including non-indexed reports. Non-peer-reviewed sources were also included. These searches produced 110 citations which were considered relevant. EPIDEMIOLOGY: There is limited information regarding statistical trends on world-wide poisoning from sodium hypochlorite. In the United States of America, poison control center data have shown that enquiries regarding hypochlorite bleaches have ranged from 43,000 to 46,000 per year over the period 2012-2016. Mechanisms of toxicity: Hypochlorite's potential to cause toxicity is related to its oxidizing capacity and the pH of the solution. Toxicity arises from its corrosive activity upon contact with mucous membranes and skin. Features following ingestion: While small accidental ingestions are very unlikely to cause clinically significant toxicity, large ingestions may cause corrosive gastrointestinal injury and systemic effects, including metabolic acidosis, hypernatremia, and hyperchloremia. Features following dental exposure: Hypochlorite is used extensively by dentists for cleaning root canals and is safe if the solution remains within the root canal. Extrusions into the periapical area can result in severe pain with localized large and diffuse swelling and hemorrhage. Features following skin exposure: Prolonged or extensive exposure may cause skin irritation and damage to the skin or dermal hypersensitivity. Such exposures can result in either immediate or delayed-type skin reactions. High concentration solutions have caused severe chemical skin burns. Features following inhalation: Although there are only limited data, inhalation of hypochlorite alone is likely to lead to no more than mild irritation of the upper airways. Features following ocular exposure: Corneal injuries from ocular exposure are generally mild with burning discomfort and superficial disturbance of the corneal epithelium with recovery within 1 or 2 days. With higher concentration solutions, severe eye irritation can occur. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis can typically be made on the basis of a careful history, including details of the specific product used, its hypochlorite concentration, and the amount involved. As hypochlorite bleach produces a characteristic smell of chlorine, this may provide a diagnostic clue. In severe cases, corrosive injury is suggested on presentation because of hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, retrosternal pain or hematemesis. MANAGEMENT: Symptom-directed supportive care is the mainstay of management. Gastrointestinal decontamination is not beneficial. Local corrosive injury is the major focus of treatment in severe cases. Fiberoptic endoscopy and CT thorax/abdomen are complimentary and have been shown to be useful in corrosive injuries in assessing the severity of injury, risk of mortality and risk of subsequent stricture formation and should be performed as soon as possible after ingestion. Dental periapical extrusion injuries should be left open for some minutes to allow bleeding through the tooth and to limit hematoma development in tissue spaces. Once the bleeding has ceased, the canal can be dressed with non-setting calcium hydroxide and sealed coronally. CONCLUSIONS: Accidental ingestion of household bleach is not normally of clinical significance. However, those who ingest a large amount of a dilute formulation or a high concentration preparation can develop severe, and rarely fatal, corrosive injury so prompt supportive care is essential as there is no specific antidote. Treatment primarily consists of symptom-directed supportive care.

Les intoxications accidentelles domestiques de l'enfant au CHU Gabriel Touré

Les intoxications accidentelles domestiques de l'enfant sont des urgences médicales pédiatriques fréquentes dans les pays en développement. Le but de notre travail était d'étudier les aspects épidémiologiques, étiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des intoxications aiguës accidentelles domestiques chez les enfants âgés de 0 à 15 ans admis aux urgences pédiatriques du CHU Gabriel Touré. Méthode: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive à collecte prospective qui s'est déroulée du 01 janvier 2014 au 31 décembre 2014. Ont été inclus tous les patients âgés de 0 à 15 ans admis aux urgences pédiatriques pour intoxications aiguës accidentelles. Résultats: Cent cas d'intoxications accidentelles aiguës ont étés colligés. Les enfants âgés de moins de cinq ans représentaient 94%. La majorité des mères était des femmes au foyer et avait la garde des enfants (83%). Quarante-neuf pour cent des mères n'étaient pas scolarisées. Le lieu de stockage du produit était intradomiciliaire dans 96% des cas. Le produit était pris par l'enfant lui-même (88%). Un geste sur le lieu de l'accident était rapporté dans 68% des cas, l'ingestion de lait (72 %) et de l'eau (10%) avaient été les premiers gestes utilisés. L'hôpital était le lieu du premier recours (72%). La durée entre la prise du produit et l'admission à l'hôpital était de 1 à 5 heures dans 58% des cas. Les vomissements (37 cas), l'agitation (17 cas) et la détresse respiratoire (16 cas) étaient les symptômes les plus rencontrés. La soude caustique (18%) et l'eau de javel (17 %) étaient les produits d'intoxication les plus retrouvés. Les produits domestiques (48%) suivis des médicaments (33%) venaient en tête parmi les familles de toxiques. L'évolution était bonne avec une guérison sans séquelle (93%). Conclusion Les intoxications aiguës accidentelles aux produits domestiques sont courantes au Mali. Le délai d'admission à l'hôpital reste toujours long, les gestes inappropriés apportés aux patients sur le lieu de l'accident aggravent souvent le tableau mais sont largement effectués par les parents avant le recours aux soins de santé

Accidente con hipoclorito de sodio durante la terapia endodóntica / Accident with sodium hypochlorite during endodontic therapy

Introducción: el accidente con hipoclorito de sodio es una de las complicaciones que pueden presentarse durante la terapia endodóntica convencional. Constituye el sobrepaso del irrigante a los tejidos periapicales ya sea durante la irrigación de los conductos radiculares o por medio de la inyección accidental en los tejidos blandos. Produce al paciente una sintomatología dolorosa inmediata, con una respuesta inmunológica exacerbada y necrosis hística. Objetivo: determinar las posibles causas del accidente con hipoclorito de sodio y exponer el protocolo de manejo clínico y farmacológico establecido para esta eventualidad. Caso clínico: se informa el caso de un sobrepaso accidental de hipoclorito de sodio hacia el periápice en la raíz distovestibular del diente 17 en un paciente de 67 años de edad, con hipertensión arterial controlada, diagnóstico de pulpa sana y requerimiento de realización de endodoncia preprotésica. Se exponen la toma de medidas clínicas y farmacológicas posterior al accidente con hipoclorito de sodio, así como el suministro de corticoterapia inmediata, analgesia, manejo del dolor por bloqueo anestésico del área comprometida y para disolución del hipoclorito de sodio, para completar el esquema de manejo medicación antibiótica profiláctica. Conclusiones: los factores predisponentes para la generación de un accidente con hipoclorito son: enfermedades que causen resorción periapical, selección inadecuada del tipo de jeringa y aguja con la que se realiza la irrigación y la no determinación adecuada de la longitud radicular. El manejo de estos accidentes con corticoides y analgesia reduce la agresividad de la sintomatología presentada por el paciente, así como la profilaxis antibiótica, disminuye el riesgo de daño hístico(AU)

Introduction: sodium hypochlorite accidents are one of the complications that may arise during conventional endodontic therapy. In hypochlorite accidents, the irrigant flows into the periapical tissue either during irrigation of root canals or by accidental injection into soft tissue. This situation causes immediate pain symptoms in the patient, with an exacerbated immune response and tissue necrosis. Objective: determine the possible causes of sodium hypochlorite accidents and present the clinical and pharmacological management protocol established for these events. Clinical case: a case is reported of accidental flowing of sodium hypochlorite to the apex of the distovestibular root of tooth 17 in a 67-year-old male patient with controlled hypertension and a diagnosis of healthy pulp requiring preprosthetic endodontic therapy. A description is provided of the clinical and pharmacological actions taken after the sodium hypochlorite accident, as well as the immediate application of corticotherapy, analgesia, pain management by anesthetic block of the compromised area and for dissolution of the sodium hypochlorite, to complete the management scheme with prophylactic antibiotic medication. Conclusions: the following are predisposing factors for the occurrence of a hypochlorite accident: conditions that cause periapical resorption, inadequate choice of the type of syringe and needle to perform the irrigation, and incorrect determination of the root length. Management of these accidents with corticosteroids and analgesia reduces the aggressiveness of symptoms, whereas antibiotic prophylaxis lessens the risk of tissue damage(AU)

Accidente con hipoclorito de sodio durante la terapia endodóntica / Accident with sodium hypochlorite during endodontic therapy

Introducción: el accidente con hipoclorito de sodio es una de las complicaciones que pueden presentarse durante la terapia endodóntica convencional. Constituye el sobrepaso del irrigante a los tejidos periapicales ya sea durante la irrigación de los conductos radiculares o por medio de la inyección accidental en los tejidos blandos. Produce al paciente una sintomatología dolorosa inmediata, con una respuesta inmunológica exacerbada y necrosis hística. Objetivo: determinar las posibles causas del accidente con hipoclorito de sodio y exponer el protocolo de manejo clínico y farmacológico establecido para esta eventualidad. Caso clínico: se informa el caso de un sobrepaso accidental de hipoclorito de sodio hacia el periápice en la raíz distovestibular del diente 17 en un paciente de 67 años de edad, con hipertensión arterial controlada, diagnóstico de pulpa sana y requerimiento de realización de endodoncia preprotésica. Se exponen la toma de medidas clínicas y farmacológicas posterior al accidente con hipoclorito de sodio, así como el suministro de corticoterapia inmediata, analgesia, manejo del dolor por bloqueo anestésico del área comprometida y para disolución del hipoclorito de sodio, para completar el esquema de manejo medicación antibiótica profiláctica. Conclusiones: los factores predisponentes para la generación de un accidente con hipoclorito son: enfermedades que causen resorción periapical, selección inadecuada del tipo de jeringa y aguja con la que se realiza la irrigación y la no determinación adecuada de la longitud radicular. El manejo de estos accidentes con corticoides y analgesia reduce la agresividad de la sintomatología presentada por el paciente, así como la profilaxis antibiótica, disminuye el riesgo de daño hístico(AU)

Introduction: sodium hypochlorite accidents are one of the complications that may arise during conventional endodontic therapy. In hypochlorite accidents, the irrigant flows into the periapical tissue either during irrigation of root canals or by accidental injection into soft tissue. This situation causes immediate pain symptoms in the patient, with an exacerbated immune response and tissue necrosis. Objective: determine the possible causes of sodium hypochlorite accidents and present the clinical and pharmacological management protocol established for these events. Clinical case: a case is reported of accidental flowing of sodium hypochlorite to the apex of the distovestibular root of tooth 17 in a 67-year-old male patient with controlled hypertension and a diagnosis of healthy pulp requiring preprosthetic endodontic therapy. A description is provided of the clinical and pharmacological actions taken after the sodium hypochlorite accident, as well as the immediate application of corticotherapy, analgesia, pain management by anesthetic block of the compromised area and for dissolution of the sodium hypochlorite, to complete the management scheme with prophylactic antibiotic medication. Conclusions: the following are predisposing factors for the occurrence of a hypochlorite accident: conditions that cause periapical resorption, inadequate choice of the type of syringe and needle to perform the irrigation, and incorrect determination of the root length. Management of these accidents with corticosteroids and analgesia reduces the aggressiveness of symptoms, whereas antibiotic prophylaxis lessens the risk of tissue damage(AU)

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Evaluation Following Household Sodium Hypochlorite Ingestion.

Endoscopy is generally speculated to be unnecessary in sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) ingestions; however, a significant number of endoscopic evaluations are still being performed when this chemical is ingested. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to compare the outcome and endoscopic findings between patients who had ingested household NaClO and those who had ingested other types of corrosives. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 137 patients with a history of corrosive substance ingestion admitted to a tertiary hospital. Data were extracted from hospital records, and interviews were performed on follow-up. Demographic characteristics, endoscopic findings, and patient outcome were compared between those who had ingested household NaClO and those who ingested other corrosives (NaClO and control cohorts, respectively). Most patients (73%) had attempted suicide. Dysphonia (P ≤ .001), dysphagia (P = .04), and mouth burns (P = .047) were significantly different between the NaClO and control cohorts. Furthermore, patients who had dysphonia, dysphagia, skin burns, drooling, hematemesis, retrosternal pain, and abnormal abdominal examination were prone to death or severe complications. None of the NaClO cohort patients had severe endoscopic complications. All patients in the NaClO cohort survived without any sequelae (Odds Ratio (OR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)] = 0.87 [0.80-0.94]) while 6 and 5 patients died and developed severe complications in the control cohort, respectively. Studies on endoscopic evaluations in patients who ingested household NaClO are scarce. Our results show that if there are no major clinical manifestations, urgent endoscopic evaluations are unnecessary in such patients.

Acute neurocysticercosis presenting as suicidal ideation.

This is a case of a 36-year-old Spanish-speaking Hispanic man who was brought to a busy suburban New Jersey emergency department (ED) by family members for altered mental status. By report, patient was noted by family to be "not acting normal" at home, when he went into his bathroom and locked the door. A brief time thereafter, he emerged smelling of bleach and with confused speech. The family surmised that he tried to commit suicide by drinking bleach and emergently brought the patient to the ED.

[Conservative treatment improved corrosive esophagitis and pneumomediastinum in a patient who ingested bleaching agent containing sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide].

A 69-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department 3 hours after ingestion of a bleaching agent containing hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide in a suicide attempt. Enhanced chest computed tomography scans taken on admission indicated an edematous esophagus and air bubbles in the mediastinum. He underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation until day 9 because of laryngeal edema. On day 10, his endoscopy indicated diffuse reddish mucosal hyperemia, erosions, and lacerated mucosal lesions in the esophagus that were indicative of grade 2b corrosive esophagitis. Treatment with a proton pump inhibitor was initiated, with which the condition of the esophagus improved, and on day 44, a slight stricture of the upper part of the esophagus was observed. He was discharged on day 64 without any complaints. The ingestion of sodium hypochlorite induces corrosive esophagitis and acute phase of gastritis. Ingestion of any corrosive agent is known as a risk factor for esophagus cancer in the long-term. In such cases with esophageal stricture, esophagectomy is recommended for preventing esophagus cancer. Considering the age of the patient, however, he did not undergo esophagectomy.

Acute kidney injury due to intravenous bleach injection.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in bleach, a ubiquitous household disinfectant, and has known toxicities depending on route of exposure and amount. Acute kidney injury due to sodium hypochlorite exposure has never been reported. Patients that did develop nephrotoxicity following bleach exposure did so due to development of other risk factors for kidney injury such as volume depletion or sepsis. DISCUSSION: We report a patient who presented with black urine after parenteral self-administration of a large quantity of bleach. We review the clinical presentation, laboratory and biopsy findings, and outcome as well as discuss possible mechanisms of sodium hypochlorite toxicity and management strategies.

Esophageal perforation and mediastinitis after suicidal ingestion of 4.5% sodium hypochlorite [correction of hydrochlorite] bleach.

A 16-year-old woman deliberately drank 4.5% sodium hypochlorite bleach. She was transferred to the emergency department after gastric lavage was performed at a local clinic. She experienced chest pain and fever after several vomiting episodes and esophagoscopy. Chest computerized tomography (CT) revealed air bubbles and abnormal soft tissue density at the right lateral aspect of the mid esophagus, a small amount of complicated pleural effusion, and pneumothorax. Barium esophagography revealed abnormal leakage of contrast media at the right wall of the mid esophagus, which indicated acute mediastinitis. The patient received intensive care and underwent delayed esophageal repair and colonic transplant. She was discharged 12 weeks after admission. Sodium hypochlorite is found in household bleaching agents used to disinfect dishes and bleach laundry. Poisoning due to ingestion of sodium hypochlorite bleach usually follows a benign clinical course. Few studies report severe complications such as esophageal stenosis or perforation.

La ingestión de cáusticos en el niño: un problema de salud pública / The caustic ingestion in children: a public health problem

La ingestión de cáusticos en la edad pediátrica es un problema grave al producir una lesión progresiva y devastadora en el esófago y el estómago. Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 421 pacientes en edades comprendidas de 2 meses a 14 años quienes ingirieron cáusticos entre 1.992 y 2.008, evaluados en el Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. El 60,09% eran pre-escolares y el 62,23% eran del sexo masculino. La sustancia tipo álcali fue ingerida en el 90,73% de los casos y los cáusticos se encontraban almacenados en su envase original en 3,8% y trasegados en el 96,2% de los casos. La ingestión fue de origen accidental en el 99,53%. Todos los pacientes manifestaron alguna sintomatología como lesiones orofaríngeas, vómitos y sialorrea. La evaluación endoscópica se realizó en el 89,31% de los casos y se evidenció lesiones en el tracto gastrointestinal en 60,63%. Los pacientes con Esofagitis Grado III y estenosis esofágica fueron incluidos en el programa de dilatación, con una buena evolución en el 35,91% de ellos. La ingestión de cáusticos constituye un problema frecuente y serio, en su mayoría de origen accidental, afecta principalmente a menores de 6 años y el álcali es el principal agente involucrado. La Endoscopia Digestiva es el estudio por excelencia para evaluar estos pacientes. Las dilataciones esofágicas son moderadamente exitosas. El mejor tratamiento es la prevención.

The caustic ingestion in the pediatric population is a serious problem because produce a progressive and devastating injury to the esophagus and stomach. Retrospective and descriptive study of 421 patients with age from 2 months to 14 years who ingested caustic between 1.992 to 2.008 evaluated at the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo. The 60.09% were pre-school and 62.23% were male. The substance type alkali was swallowed by 90.73% of cases and the caustics were stored in its original packaging by 3.8% and decanted in 96.2% of cases. Intake was accidental source in 99.53%. All patients showed some symptoms as oropharyngeal lesions, vomiting and drooling. Endoscopy evaluation was performed by 89.31% of cases and revealed gastrointestinal tract injuries in 60.63%. Patients with grade 3 Esophagitis and esophageal stricture were admitted in the dilatation program with a good success in 35.91% of them. The caustic ingestion is a common and serious problem, mostly from accidental origin, mainly affects children under 6 years and the alkali is the principal agent involved. The Esophagoscopy is the ideal mean for evaluate these patients. The esophageal dilatations are moderately successful. The best treatment is the prevention.

The indirect detection of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in beverages as evidence of product tampering.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) has been identified as the adulterant in a relatively large number of product tamperings that have been investigated by the Forensic Chemistry Center (FCC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In this work, household bleach was added to 23 different beverages at each of three levels. The impact of sodium hypochlorite on these beverages over a 13-day study period was evaluated using the following techniques: diphenylamine spot test for oxidizing agents, potassium iodide-starch test paper for oxidizing agents, pH, iodometric titration for quantitating hypochlorite, ion chromatography for chloride and chlorate quantitation, automated headspace sampling with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for determination of chloroform, and visual and organoleptic observations. This study has shown that hypochlorite is fragile when added to most common beverages and typically breaks down either partially or completely over time. In cases where a beverage is suspected of being adulterated with bleach but tests for hypochlorite are negative, it is still possible to characterize the product to demonstrate that the results are consistent with the addition of bleach. An adulterated product will give a positive test for oxidizing agents using the diphenylamine spot test. It is likely that the pH of the adulterated product will be higher than a control of that product. Ion chromatographic analysis shows elevated chloride and chlorate as compared with a control. And, chloroform may also be detected by GC-FID especially if the beverage that was adulterated contains citric acid.

Ingestion of caustic substances: a 15-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the circumstance, demographic features, clinical findings, and complications of caustic ingestion in relation to the type and amount of caustic substance. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary medical center. METHODS: The authors reviewed medical records from 1988 to 2003 of patients with a history of caustic ingestion and clinical signs of injury to the aerodigestive tract. Parameters examined included age at presentation, gender, demographic status, nature of the caustic substance ingested, amount of substance, circumstance of the event, diagnostic tools, degree of injury, and anatomic distribution of the injury, early and late complications, and requirement for ventilatory support. RESULTS: A total of 50 cases of caustic ingestion were identified (age range, 5 months-71 years). A biphasic distribution of the patients was noted; half were children under 5 years old and the remainder was adults. The most common caustic agent ingested was alkaline (42%) followed by acidic (32%) and chlorine bleach (26%). The most frequent cause for ingestion was accidental (67%) as opposed to attempt suicide (33%). All cases of attempted suicide occurred in adults. Most of them reported ingestion of large amounts of caustic substance. In the pediatric group, an association between the caustic agent and ethnicity was observed. Among Jewish children, alkaline cleaning agents were the most common cause (82%). Acetic acid was the most common substance ingested by the Arab children (100%). The findings of rigid esophagoscopy in 36 patients were as follows: first-degree esophageal injury in 16 (44%), second-degree in 6 (17%), third-degree in 7 (19%), fourth-degree in 6 (17%), and one (3%) was normal. Mucosal injury to the esophagus was worse in the acidic ingestion group as compared with the alkaline substance ingestion group with marginally statistically significant difference in the median degree of injury between the three types of ingested substances (P = .054). Mucosal injury to the esophagus was worse among patients who attempted suicide as compared with accidental ingestion with a statistically significant difference in the median degree of injury between the two reasons for ingestion (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Severity of injury from caustic ingestion damages depend on the type of ingested substance, which varies depending on ethnicity. Ingestion of caustic agents by children involves specific substances according to the season, cultural and religious festivals, and ethnicity. The majority of adult cases are intentional with more serious injuries and a higher rate of complications. In our series, ingestion of acidic substances and ingestion associated with suicide attempt had the most severe consequences.

Acquired copper deficiency following prolonged jejunostomy feeds.

A 19-year-old man who developed extensive oesophageal lye (Alkali) stricture and received long-term enteral nutrition (eight months) with a jejunostomy tube developed macrocytic anaemia (Hb: 41 g/L) with leucopenia (white blood cell [WBC]: 3.0 x 10(9)/L). The patient's serum vitamin B12, folate, iron and liver function tests were normal. Bone marrow examination revealed gross erythroid hyperplasia and cytoplasmic vacuolization of erythroid and myeloid elements. Further investigations revealed low serum copper (0.3 micromol/L) and ceruloplasmin concentrations (<30 mg/L) with marginally low normal serum concentration of red cell peroxidase (13 U/gHb), establishing the diagnosis of copper deficiency anaemia. The anaemia and leucopenia responded intermittently to intravenous copper therapy, but the serum copper concentration dropped when intravenous copper therapy was withdrawn. Enteral jejunostomy copper supplementation failed to maintain adequate serum copper concentrations. After stabilizing the general condition of the patient, a pharyngo-gastric anastamosis was performed and normal oral diet commenced, which restored normal serum copper concentration. This case report suggests that copper supplements in the form of copper sulphate are not adequately absorbed when administered through a jejunostomy tube.