title: [Esophageal obstruction caused by dietary fiber from Plantago ovata, a complication preventable by adequate information].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plantago ovata (PO) is widely used as a dietary fiber in the treatment of constipation. A case of esophageal obstruction due to PO is presented. Other published cases are reviewed, and possible risk factors and prevention are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 41-year-old woman felt chest pain and regurgitation immediately after swallowing a tablespoonful of PO in granules. She kept the granules in her mouth for a few seconds before swallowing them with 250 ml of water. Flexible endoscopy revealed a brown-black consistent mass blocking the inferior esophagus. A mild hiatus hernia was subsequently discovered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All the cases found through an unlimited Medline search using key words Plantago, Psyllium, mucilage, bezoars and esophagus, were taking PO in granules. Most of the cases took the granules with insufficient liquid, and some had previous obstructive esophageal disease. PO in powder probably presents a lower risk of esophageal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Especialistas en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria. Area 6. Madrid. Spain. olisalguero@telefonica.net
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salguero Molpeceres
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Seijas Ruiz-Coello
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández Núñez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caballos Villar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díaz Picazo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ayerbe García-Monzón
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D001630:Bezoars; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004304:Dosage Forms; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004382:Duodenitis / Q000150:complications; D004630:Emergencies; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004304:Dosage Forms; D011208:Powders; D011620:Psyllium