Caustic ingestions

Evaluation of Pediatric Early Warning System and Drooling Reluctance Oropharynx Others Leukocytosis scores as prognostic tools for pediatric caustic ingestion: a two-center, cross-sectional study

Caustic chemicals are widely distributed in our environment. Exposure to caustic agents is a lifelong problem associated with severe tissue and mucous membrane injuries. In pediatrics, corrosive exposure is the most common cause of nonpharmaceutical exposure presenting to poison control centers. Therefore, this study evaluated the role of the Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) and Drooling Reluctance Oropharynx Others Leukocytosis (DROOL) scores as early in-hospital outcome predictors following corrosive ingestion. The current study was a two-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study carried out among pediatric patients diagnosed with acute caustic ingestion during the past 4 years. Most exposure occurred accidentally among boys (59.4%) living in rural areas (51.9%) of preschool age (50% were 2-4 years old). Residence, body temperature, respiratory rate, vomiting, skin and mucosal burns, retrosternal pain, respiratory distress, Oxygen (O2) saturation, Glasgow Coma Scale score, HCO₃ level, total bilirubin level, anemia, leukocytosis, and presence of free peritoneal fluid were significant predictors of esophageal injuries (p < 0.05). DROOL and PEWS scoring were the most significant predictors of esophageal injuries with worthy predictive power, where odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) was 1.76 (0.97-3.17) and 0.47 (0.21-0.99) for PEWS and DROOL, respectively. At a cutoff of < 6.5, the DROOL score could predict esophageal injuries excellently, with AUC = 0.931; sensitivity, 91.7%; specificity, 72.5%; and overall accuracy, 91.3%. At a cutoff of > 6.5, PEWS could significantly predict unfavorable outcomes, with AUC = 0.893; sensitivity, 94.4%; specificity, 71.9%; and overall accuracy, 89.3%. However, PEWS better predicted the need for admittance to the intensive care unit (ICU). Pediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) and Drooling Reluctance Oropharynx Others Leukocytosis (DROOL) are potentially useful accurate scorings that could predict the esophageal injuries and ICU admission following corrosive ingestion in pediatrics.

Dysphagia and Speech-Language Pathology Involvement Following Chemical Ingestion Injury: A Review of 44 Cases Admitted to a Quaternary Australian Hospital (2008-2012)

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of an adult chemical ingestion population and examine the course of return to oral intake post injury and speech-language pathologist (SLP) involvement during the initial acute-care admission.

METHOD

A retrospective chart review of adults admitted to a quaternary hospital for the treatment of an acute chemical ingestion injury between 2008 and 2012 was conducted.

RESULTS

Forty-four adults (23 men, 21 women) were identified as receiving treatment for ingestion injury, of whom 18 (40.91%) required altered oral intake. Of those requiring altered oral intake, 50% were referred to SLPs. Individuals requiring altered oral intake were significantly (p < .05) older, more likely to be men, and present with more severe injuries requiring longer ICU and hospital admissions following intentional chemical ingestions than those who were able to commence a normal oral diet without any alteration or nonoral supplementation. By discharge, 15.91% (n = 7) of the total cohort had not resumed normal oral intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Return to oral intake post chemical ingestion injury can be protracted and complex. Referrals to SLPs were limited. These data may aid prognostic insight as well as provide (a) collateral information to assist discharge planning and follow-up and (b) background for evaluating the potential for SLP involvement.

The Challenges of Dysphagia Management and Rehabilitation in Two Complex Cases Post Chemical Ingestion Injury

PURPOSE

Dysphagia is common sequelae of chemical ingestion injury, resulting from damage to critical swallowing structures. From a speech-language pathology perspective, this study outlines the physiological deficits in 2 individuals with severe injury (1 woman, acid; 1 man, alkali) and the pattern of dysphagia rehabilitation and recovery.

METHOD

A retrospective chart review of clinical and instrumental assessments was conducted to examine swallow characteristics and speech-language pathology management (compensatory and rehabilitation strategies) at multiple time points.

RESULTS

Chemical ingestion injury resulted in severe pharyngeal dysphagia for both participants, warranting speech-language pathology management. Dysphagia was characterized by poor base of tongue mobility and reduced laryngeal excursion. Decreased airway patency and protection, secondary to mucosal sloughing, widespread edema, and structural deficits necessitated tracheostomy. Recovery was complicated by physical alterations of pharyngeal and laryngeal structures (e.g., interarytenoid adhesions) and esophageal strictures. Participant 1 was discharged (Day 135) consuming a texture-modified diet; Participant 2 remained nil by mouth (Day 329).

CONCLUSIONS

Dysphagia recovery subsequent to chemical ingestion is protracted and complex. Clinical outcomes may be improved through individualized and intensive rehabilitation by speech-language pathologists.

Potassium permanganate ingestion as a suicide attempt

Potassium permanganate is a highly corrosive, water-soluble oxidizing antiseptic. A 68-year-old female patient was admitted to our Emergency Department after ingestion of 3 tablets of 250 mg potassium permanganate as a suicide attempt. The physical exam revealed brown stained lesions in the oropharynx. Emergency endoscopy was performed by the gastroenterologist after the third hour of ingestion. Emergency endoscopy revealed multiple superficial (Grade I-II) lesions on the esophagus and cardia, which were considered secondary to the caustic substance. The mainstay in the treatment of potassium permanganate is supportive and the immediate priority is to secure the airway. Emergency endoscopy is an important tool used to evaluate the location and severity of injury to the esophagus, stomach and duodenum after caustic ingestion. Patients with signs and symptoms of intentional ingestion should undergo endoscopy within 12 to 24 h to define the extent of the disease.