title: Melanosis ilei induced by prolonged charcoal ingestion.
abstract: Gastrointestinal melanosis is observed most frequently in the colon it also can develop in the ileum, duodenum and esophagus very rarely. Melanosis ilei was thought that causative materials such as aluminum, magnesium, silicate, titanium and other compounds entered the body through the ingestion of agents. We experienced a case of melanosis in the terminal ileum that a 65-year-old female patient ingested 10 g edible charcoal everyday for 3 years to address symptoms of chronic abdominal pain. In Korea, edible charcoal has been considered to be an effective folk remedy for patients with diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain. In our case, a follow up colonoscopy was performed 3.5 years after the termination of the ingestion of edible charcoal, at which point pigmentation was faded color intensity. In conclusion, it is thought that melanosis ilei is a rare disease by ingestion of causative materials and is discontinuous, local and reversible disease.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Gun Min
authors: GM
authors: Kim
authors: Eun Jung
authors: EJ
authors: Jun
authors: Yong Cheol
authors: YC
authors: Kim
authors: Jin Min
authors: JM
authors: Park
authors: Seok In
authors: SI
authors: Hong
authors: Dae Young
authors: DY
authors: Cheung
authors: Jin Il
authors: JI
authors: Kim
authors: Youn Soo
authors: YS
authors: Lee