title: Radiologic treatment of esophageal food impaction using intravenous glucagon.
abstract: Obstructing esophageal food impaction was successfully relieved in 3 patients by the administration of intravenous glucagon. Since proteolytic enzyme digestion of bolus impaction carries a clear risk of fatal esophageal perforation, early therapeutic administration of glucagon during initial esophagography affords a safe and effective acute-care radiologic adjunct. Advantages include immediate diagnosis and therapy, effectiveness in meat and vegetable impactions, and safety for repeated doses. A glucagon-papain combination is suggested as a routine regimen during standard efforts at enzymatic disimpaction.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010206:Papain / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D005934:Glucagon; D010206:Papain