Esophageal Foreign Body after Smoking Crack Cocaine

Abstract

Injuries from cocaine abuse are often seen and have been reported more often with the introduction of crack cocaine. Burns of the upper aerodigestive tract have been reported but no reports of esophageal obstruction have been located. We report ingestion of a foreign body from smoking crack cocaine and our management. A review of other possible aspiration and ingestion injuries is included.

Aorto-Oesophageal Fistula and Intestinal Infarction Secondary to Volvulus following Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in a Schizophrenic Patient

“…Though children are the most widely affected group (80% of cases), ingestion of foreign bodies can also be found in elderly edentulous subjects; elderly patients with impairment of masticatory function or with dentures; gastroresected patients (Dionigi, 1992); patients who have undergone therapeutic procedures (dental or emergency); convicts (in an attempt to be transferred to the infirmary) (Magdalena-Castimeira and Magdalena Lopez, 1994); thieves attempting to conceal stolen items, the so-called 'bodypackers' or drug dealers who swallow packets of drugs; some cases of suicide; and psychiatric patients, above all schizophrenic (McLoughlin, 1987;Jacob et al, 1990;Riccio et a1., 1990;Kikoler et al, 1992;Arrowood et al, 1993;Sharland and McCaughan, 1993;Tanigawa et aI., 1993;Jiingling et aI., 1994;Morrone et aI., 1996) and epileptic patients (Yang, 1991).…”