Year: 2008
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Acute gastroscopy is seldom advocated in cases of drug overdose. However, this intervention is sometimes recommended in cases where a pharmacobezoar of toxic tablets has formed. CASE REPORTS: We describe two patients who were admitted after major ingestion of slow release clomipramine. In one case an abdominal x-ray was highly suspicious of a large pharmacobezoar in the stomach and in the other case a tablet conglomerate totally obstructed the oesophagus. Both conditions were successfully managed by acute gastroscopy. DISCUSSION: There are limited and inconclusive recommendations in the literature concerning the optimal treatment of pharmacobezoars. CONCLUSION: This article provides further evidence that slow release clomipramine may be capable of forming a radio-opaque pharmacobezoar. The clinical courses in these two cases suggest that tablet removal by gastroscopy should be considered in selected cases of drug poisoning. Suspicion of a pharmacobezoar may warrant diagnostic investigations such as imaging studies and endoscopy.
Source: Clinical Toxicology
Authors: Jones Höjer, Mark Personne
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2000955323