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. 2020 Nov;4(4):576-579.
doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2020.7.47673.

A Case Report Highlighting That Silica Gel Products Are Not Always Benign

Nolan Lassiter  1 , Nhia Yang  2 , Lakshma Tiyyagura  3 , K Scott Whitlow  4
Affiliations

A Case Report Highlighting That Silica Gel Products Are Not Always Benign

Nolan Lassiter et al. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: Silica gel packets are commonly used desiccants for medication products; these packets generally only pose a choking risk in young children. However, new cylindrical desiccant canisters have been developed, which may increase the risk for obstruction in adults.

Case report: An elderly male presented to the emergency department complaining of difficulty swallowing after taking his morning medications. Through a diligent work-up a desiccant canister was found lodged in the lower esophageal sphincter. The patient was endotracheally intubated and a Roth Net retriever was used to remove the canister.

Conclusion: Cylindrical desiccant canisters pose an increased risk of esophageal obstruction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: By the CPC-EM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. The authors disclosed none.

Figures

Image 1
Image 1
(Left) Image of traditional desiccant package. (Right) Image of new desiccant cylindrical canister for medications.
Image 2
Image 2
Image of this patient’s computed tomography with the foreign body located near the gastroesophageal junction (arrow).
Image 3
Image 3
Image of this patient’s esophagogastroduodenoscopy with the foreign body in sight at the gastroesophageal junction displaying the esophageal strictures (white arrows) as well as the trapped desiccant canister (black arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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