Caustic Ingestion of the Esophagus

Abstract

Children represent up to 80% of the population globally who are exposed to caustic ingestion injury. Caustic injury to the esophagus may be caused by alkalis and acids, both producing very different injury patterns. Initial management should prioritize respiratory and cardiovascular stability. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic grading of esophageal injury remains the mainstay of diagnosis and may aid management decisions. Further studies are necessary as there continues to be minimal evidence for the use of adjuvant medical therapy including antacids, antibiotics, and steroid use. Sequelae such as esophageal strictures may be managed initially with esophageal dilation, with surgical management reserved for failure of dilations. Long-term endoscopic screening is necessary for the development of esophageal cancer, which may occur decades later from the injury.