Total gastrointestinal tract necrosis after ingesting a considerable amount of hydrochloric acid.
BACKGROUND
It has not been reported that ingesting large amounts of strong acid resulted in total gastrointestinal tract necrosis. Here we describe a case of a man with total gastrointestinal tract necrosis after ingestion of a considerable amount of hydrochloric acid.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography (CT) scan showed significant free air in the neck, lateral esophagus, and abdominal cavity, which indicated perforation of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the abdominal CT image showed splenic subcapsular hematorna and swollen pancreatic head caused by strong acid causis. We found the entire gastrointestinal tract from stomach to rectum necrosis in the emergency exploratory laparotomy. Our case suggests that ingestion of a considerable amount (e.g., 500 mL) and concentration of strong acid could result in total gastrointestinal tract necrosis. Emergency laparotomy should be performed as early as possible to benefit this kind of patient.
Zeng
Qiqiang
Q
Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325003, Zhejiang Province, China.
Zhou
Hongzhong
H
Zheng
Xiangwu
X
Li
Zhangping
Z
Zhou
Mengtao
M
Han
Shaoliang
S
Zhang
Qiyu
Q
D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013405:Suicide
D006851:Hydrochloric Acid