Publication:

Endoscopic balloon dilatation in caustic-induced gastric outlet obstruction: case report

The ingestion of caustic substances is a not infrequent problem that requires multidisciplinary, medical, surgical and endoscopic management, since it can cause minor burns to total necrosis of the digestive tract wall. A 76 years old male patient with a history of chronic alcoholism presented to the emergency department complaining of heartburn and abdominal pain after ingesting muriatic acid, accidentally mistaking it for alcohol. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed no signs of perforation and endoscopy revealed grade IIIB stomach burns. On day 45 a new endoscopy was performed, documenting fibrosis scars in the antrum with significant retraction and secondary pyloric stenosis, which was managed with endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) without complications. In this case, as in most patients with caustic-induced gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) can be successfully treated by EBD.