Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T03:14:20.225Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Oesophageal perforation following ingestion of over-the-counter ibuprofen capsules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2008

N P Singh  and
J G Rizk
N P Singh*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Guy's Hospital and King's College, London
J G Rizk
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Narinder Singh, London House, William Goodenough College, Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N 2AB, UK. Fax: 0207 713 5158 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

We present a rare case of oesophageal perforation following ingestion of over-the-counter ibuprofen capsules.

Method:

Case report and literature review of pill oesophagitis.

Case report:

A previously well, 18-year-old man presented with sudden onset, severe, retrosternal pain, dysphagia and odynophagia following ingestion of over-the-counter ibuprofen capsules. Plain X-ray films and a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan indicated the diagnosis. The patient was successfully treated with non-operative management.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world literature concerning oesophageal perforation with ibuprofen. We discuss pill-induced oesophageal injury and its prevention. Manufacturers, clinicians and patients can all take steps to avoid this potentially life-threatening complication.

Keywords

Foreign BodiesOesophagusIbuprofenOesophageal Perforation
Type
Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 8 , August 2008 , pp. 864 - 866
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Kikendall, JW. Pill esophagitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 1999;28:298–305CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Yamaoka, K, Takenawa, H, Tajiri, K, Yamane, M, Kadowaki, K, Marumo, F et al. A case of esophageal perforation due to a pill-induced ulcer successfully treated with conservative measures. Am J Gastroenterol 1996;91:1044–5Google Scholar
3Minocha, A, Greenbaum, DS. Pill-esophagitis caused by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Am J Gastroenterol 1991;86:1086–9Google ScholarPubMed
4Carlborg, B, Densert, O. Esophageal lesions caused by orally administered drugs. An experimental study in the cat. Eur Surg Res 1980;12:270–82CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Semble, EL, Wu, WC, Castell, DO. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and esophageal injury. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1989;19:99–109CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Mason, JC. NSAIDs and the oesophagus. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1999;11:369–73CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Moore, N. Forty years of ibuprofen use. Int J Clin Pract 2003;135:28–31Google Scholar
8Coates, AG, Nostrant, TT, Wilson, JA, Elta, GH, Agha, FP. Esophagitis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication: case reports and review of the literature on pill-induced esophageal injury. South Med J 1986;79:1094–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Agha, FP, Wilson, JA, Nostrand, TT. Medication-induced esophagitis. Gastrointest Radiol 1986;11:7–11CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Sugawa, C, Takekuma, Y, Lucas, CE, Amamoto, H. Bleeding esophageal ulcers caused by NSAIDs. Surg Endosc 1997;11:143–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Mohandas, KM, Swaroop, VS, Desai, DC, Dhir, V, Nagral, A, Desai, PB et al. Medication induced esophageal injury. Indian J Gastroenterol 1991;10:20–2Google ScholarPubMed
12Brewer, AR, Smyrk, TC, Bailey, RT Jr, Bonavina, L, Eypasch, EP, Demeester, TR. Drug-induced esophageal injury. Histopathological study in a rabbit model. Dig Dis Sci 1990;35:1205–10CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Hey, H, Jorgensen, F, Sorensen, K, Wamberg, T. Oesophageal transit of six commonly used tablets and capsules. BMJ 1982;285:1717–19CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Brinster, CJ, Singhal, S, Lee, L, Marshall, MB, Kaiser, LR, Kucharcuzuk, JC. Evolving options in the management of esophageal perforation. Ann Thorac Surg 2004;77:1475–83CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Kamiyoshihara, M, Kakinuma, S, Kusaba, T, Kawashima, O, Kasahara, M, Koyama, T et al. Occult Boerhaave's syndrome without vomiting prior to presentation. Report of a case. J Cardiovasc Surg 1998;39:863–5Google Scholar