Small-bowel obstruction secondary to activated charcoal and adhesions.
Gastrointestinal obstruction is a rare complication of multiple-dose administration of activated charcoal. Previous reports deal only with obstruction after ingestion of drugs that impair gastrointestinal motility. This patient developed a small-bowel obstruction associated with the administration of multiple doses of activated charcoal (350 g, total) for treatment of theophylline toxicity. This patient also had low-grade, previously asymptomatic adhesions at the ileocecal valve. A 4.5 x 5 x 3-cm aggregate of charcoal was surgically removed from the distal ileum.
Goulbourne
K B
KB
Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit Receiving Hospital/University Health Center, Michigan.
Cisek
J E
JE
D002606:Charcoal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D007080:Ileocecal Valve; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D013806:Theophylline / Q000506:poisoning; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications
D002606:Charcoal; D013806:Theophylline