title: Caustic ingestion injuries of the upper aerodigestive tract.
abstract: Few reports have described in detail the injuries that occur to the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx following caustic ingestion. The role of dynamic radiographic studies to delineate the extent of damage has been minimized. In-depth radiographic analysis of such cases has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. In order to examine the injuries and functional abnormalities of these sites following caustic ingestion, the records of The Johns Hopkins Swallowing Center were reviewed. Five patients were identified as having significant upper aerodigestive tract caustic injuries. All patients had dysphagia, epiglottis injuries, and incomplete laryngeal protection with aspiration. Four of five had sustained some degree of esophageal stenosis. Also noted were pharyngeal muscle dysfunction, nasopharyngeal regurgitation, tongue fixation, and hypopharyngeal stenosis. Roentgenographic findings are described and illustrated. The multidisciplinary approach to the management and rehabilitation of these patients is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ravich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002933:Cineradiography; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000293:injuries; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000293:injuries; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000293:injuries; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics