A life-threatening case of stenosing pill hypopharynx-oesophagitis caused by a tamsulosin capsule

Dig Liver Dis. 2004 Sep;36(9):632-4. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2003.11.032.

Abstract

Pill oesophagitis is a frequent clinical entity that may induce dysphagia and exceptionally oesophageal occlusion. The mechanisms inducing mucosal inflammation are not completely defined, but oesophageal damage occurring when the caustic content of a drug remains in the oesophagus long enough to produce mucosal lesions seems to be a main factor. We report a case of a life-threatening stenosing pill hypopharynx-oesophagitis caused by the ingestion of a capsule of tamsulosin, a drug diffusely used for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Aged
  • Esophageal Stenosis / chemically induced*
  • Esophageal Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Esophagitis / chemically induced*
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Hypophosphatasia / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Pharyngitis / chemically induced
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / drug therapy
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects*
  • Tamsulosin
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
  • Sulfonamides
  • Tamsulosin