Hemorrhagic gastritis and gas emboli after ingesting 3% hydrogen peroxide.
It is well known that ingestion of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide is usually nontoxic; this does not produce gas embolism and is only a mild irritant to the gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman who ingested one mouthful of 3% hydrogen peroxide and presented to the Emergency Department with persistent vomiting and epigastric pain. The radiographic evaluation found portal venous gas emboli. In addition, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed 2 h after ingestion revealed diffuse hemorrhagic gastritis. She showed a decrease of hemoglobin concentration and a positive test result for occult blood in stool. She was observed for 14 days and discharged. Follow-up endoscopy showed erythematous gastritis. This case illustrates that a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide can cause portal venous gas embolism and severe gastrointestinal injuries even if only a small amount is ingested.
Moon
Jeong Mi
JM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Chonnam Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
Chun
Byeong Jo
BJ
Min
Yong Il
YI
D000328:Adult; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000209:etiology*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000506:poisoning*
D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide