title: Portal venous gas emboli after accidental ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydrogen peroxide is a common household product. It is clear and odorless making it easy to confuse with water, especially when improperly stored. Concentrated formulations are also available for consumer purchase.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of hydrogen peroxide ingestion in a child and discuss the potential consequences and treatment of such an exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-year-old boy accidentally ingested a sip of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. He rapidly developed hematemesis and presented to the Emergency Department. His initial work-up was unremarkable, and his symptoms resolved quickly. However, diffuse gas emboli were found within the portal system on abdominal computed tomography. The child was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and later found to have gastric irritation as well as an ulcer on endoscopy. He recovered fully from the incident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present this case to increase awareness of the dangers of hydrogen peroxide ingestion in children. Fortunately, the child in this case recovered fully, but emergency physicians should be aware of the potential consequences and therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Rebekah A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006396:Hematemesis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011168:Portal System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: gas embolism; hydrogen peroxide; hyperbaric oxygen; ingestion; portal vein