Summary
We report a patient with esophageal stricture as a result of the accidental swallowing of melted copper by a 49-year-old male. As a result, esophagogastric ulcers developed and left a cicatrical stricture. The patient could only manage to swallow liquid food. Radiology of the upper gastrointestinal tract showed marked stricture of the esophagus from the middle thoracic portion to the esophagogastric junction and shortening of the lesser curvature of the stomach. The patient underwent a single-session total gastrectomy, and excision of the thoracic esophagus and construction of anterior thoracic esophagocolic and duodenocolic anastomoses were performed by right thoracotomy and laparotomy, respectively. Macroscopic findings of the surgical specimens showed extensive circular ulcers at the esophagus, and microscopic findings showed deep ulcers extending to the muscle layer with marked fibrosis. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cardona LC, Daly JF: Current management of corrosive esophagitis, an evaluation of results in 239 cases. Ann Otol 80:521–527, 1971
Matsuo S, Imaoka T, Nishikiori Y, Kanda M, Morioka H, Tanimoto K, Kato S, Akama H, Nagasako R, Hino M, Nakamura S: A report of two cases of esophageal ulcer due to thermal burn and clinical studies on mechanism of occurrence of esophageal ulcer. Med J Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital 12:30–34, 1985 (in Japanese)
Kovalenko-PP, Chepurnoi-GI: Surgical treatment of thermal injuries of the esophagus and bronchi. Khirurgiya 12:110–111, 1985 (in Russian)
Hammond CR: The elements.In CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 48th ed. CW Robert (ed.). Ohio, CRC Press, 1977, pp B-5–B-60
Ashcraft KW, Holder DM: The experimental treatment of esophageal strictures by intralesional steroid injections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 58:685–693, 1969
Mendelsohn HJ, Maloney WH: The treatment of benign strictures of the esophagus with cortisone injection. Ann Otol 79:900–906, 1970
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shibuya, S., Takase, Y. & Sharma, N. Esophageal ulcer due to ingestion of melted copper. Digest Dis Sci 37, 1785–1790 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299877
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01299877