Corrosive-induced gastric outlet obstruction without oesphageal involvement: a case report

Abstract

Background: The objective of this paper is to report an unusual case of isolated gastric outlet obstruction following corrosive ingestion.

Method: A case report of a 28-year old female seen by the authors. The literature on gastric outlet obstruction following ingestion of corrosives is reviewed briefly.

Results: Features of worsening gastric outlet obstruction were found in this 28-year old female five months after ingestion of hydrochloric acid. There was an antecedent history of depressive illness. The upper gastrointestinal barium contrast radiographs showed a normal oesophagus and proximal stomach. The distal stomach was however scarred, contracted with severe antropyloric stenosis. She underwent nutritional rehabilitation with high protein diet and made an uneventful recovery after a gastrojejunostomy.

Conclusion: This case suggests a relative resistance of the oesophagus to corrosive acids as reported in the literature. The stomach, however, is more susceptible to acids causing burns with subsequent cicatrisation around the antrum and pylorus.