title: Cellulose fiber diet pills. A new cause of esophageal obstruction.
abstract: Cellulose fiber diet pills have recently become a popular form of weight control. In the past 2 months, we have seen two patients in whom ingestion of these pills has resulted in complete distal esophageal obstruction. Further studies revealed that each patient had a previously undiagnosed anatomical abnormality of the distal esophagus; in one case a Schatzki's ring, and in the other a stricture probably secondary to chronic reflux. We conclude that patients with known esophageal narrowing, or with a history of reflux and/or dysphagia, should use cellulose fiber diet pills only with extreme caution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27514-7070.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pillsbury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004106:Dilatation; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D013607:Tablets