Accidental ingestion of dishwasher detergent by an elderly patient: a case of successful conservative management
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Accidental ingestion of household cleaning products is a common reason for visits to the emergency department. The broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, along with a higher prevalence in vulnerable patients, complicates the correct management of these cases. We present the case of a 91-year-old man with dementia who was admitted after accidentally ingesting dishwasher detergent. He complained of chest pain and a sensation of upper airway obstruction. Initially, the patient’s vital signs were stable, and radiological imaging results were negative, but his condition quickly deteriorated, leading to esophageal perforation complicated by mediastinitis. The patient was managed by a multidisciplinary team that included emergency physicians, otolaryngologists, toxicologists, endoscopists, and surgeons with a good outcome. This case demonstrates how a coordinated, multidisciplinary strategy, coupled with careful monitoring, can lead to a successful conservative treatment outcome in an elderly patient with numerous comorbidities and a complex medication regimen.
Source: Emergency Care Journal
Authors: Maria Floresta, Annamaria Venturi, Eleonora Tubertini, Loredana Mele, Jacopo Fantini, Fabrizio Giostra
Language: English
Topic: Foreign Body Medical Cases
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415230381