BJR © 2020 The Authors.

Published by the British Institute of Radiology

https://​doi.​org/​10.​1259/​bjr.​20200528
Received: Revised: Accepted:
08 May 2020 18 June 2020 08 July 2020

Cite this article as:

Agarwal A, Srivastava DN, Madhusudhan KS. Corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: the evolving role of a radiologist. Br J
Radiol 2020; 93: 20200528.

REVIEW ARTICLE

Corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: the

evolving role of a radiologist
AYUSHI AGARWAL, MD, DEEP NARAYAN SRIVASTAVA, MD and KUMBLE SEETHARAMA MADHUSUDHAN, MD, FRCR
Department of Radiodiagnosis All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India 110029

Address correspondence to: Kumble Seetharama Madhusudhan

E-mail: ​drmadhuks@​gmail.​com

ABSTRACT
Corrosive injury is a devastating injury which carries significant morbidity. The upper gastrointestinal tract is predomi-
nantly affected with severity ranging from mild inflammation to full thickness necrosis which may result in perforation
and death. Among the complications, stricture formation is most common, causing dysphagia and malnutrition. Endos-
copy has a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management, with a few shortcomings. Imaging has an important role to
play. Besides radiography, there is an increasing role of CT scan in the emergency setting with good accuracy in identi-
fying patients who are likely to benefit from surgery. Further, CT scan has a role in the diagnosis of complications. Oral
contrast studies help in assessing the severity and extent of stricture formation and associated fistulous complications
in the subacute and chronic phase. The scope of intervention radiology for this condition is increasing. Fluoroscopy-­
guided balloon dilatation, drainage of collections or mucoceles, endovascular embolization of point bleeders, place-
ment of feeding jejunostomy and image-­guided biopsy are among the procedures that are being performed. Through
this review we aim to stress the role the radiologist plays in the diagnosis and follow-­up of these patients and in
performing radiological interventions. Besides this, we have also highlighted few salient points to help understand the
pathophysiology and management of such injuries which is paramount to ensure a good long-­term outcome.

INTRODUCTION brief discussion on the relevant radiological interventions

Corrosive injuries of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), performed in this setting.
although uncommon, are devastating and, in severe cases,
are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1 PROPERTIES OF CORROSIVE AGENTS AND
The nature and incidence of ingestion is different for devel- PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
oped and developing countries, with the incidence being A corrosive agent causes destruction of the tissue with
higher in the lower socio-­ economic group.2 Accidental which it comes in contact. They are broadly classified into
ingestion is more common in younger age group whereas acid and alkali.2 Basic knowledge of the properties of these
in adults, suicidal intent is frequently encountered.2,3 agents helps in better understanding the pathophysiology
of the injury caused by them. Alkali ingestion is common
Corrosive ingestion predominantly affects the upper in the Western countries whereas acid ingestion is more
GIT, from the oral cavity to the stomach. In the acute common in developing countries, with sulphuric acid being
stage, the injury varies from mild inflammation to lethal the most common agent (seen in 68.75% cases).4,6,7
form, whereas in the chronic stage, stricture formation is
common which leads to dysphagia and malnutrition.4,5 Acids have a pungent odour and noxious taste, which
Management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary accounts for the smaller quantity frequently ingested and
team approach. Imaging plays a critical role in evaluating the immediate vomiting.6 They are less viscous and cause
the affected organs, both in the acute and chronic settings. coagulative necrosis with formation of an eschar. This acts
Another major role of a radiologist is to perform radio- as a barrier for further penetration of the acid, limiting the
logical interventions whenever necessary. In this review, depth of injury.8 Another property of acids is their poten-
we briefly present the pathophysiological and clinical tial to cause pylorospasm, resulting in stasis and increased
features of corrosive injury of the upper GIT along with contact time of the ingested agent in the pre-­pyloric region
detailed illustration of the various imaging findings and and thus, development of an antropyloric stricture.9,10
 BJR Agarwal et al

The common acids which are commercially available are in the the mucosa and then transmural necrosis, which may result in
form of toilet cleaners (hydrochloric acid), storage battery acids perforation.
(sulphuric acid), jewellery cleaners (hydrochloric and nitric acid
in a 3:1 proportion), and certain metal cleaners (phosphoric Phase II (1–2 weeks): In the first week following injury, gran-
acid). ulation tissue begins to replace the mucosal slough. Fibroblast
infiltration starts around the second week and this marks the
Alkalis, on the other hand, are tasteless and odourless, and thus beginning of tissue repair.
larger quantities are usually ingested.6 They are more viscous,
which leads to longer contact time with the tissue and cause Phase III (third week to months): In this phase, there is increased
liquefactive necrosis, thus resulting in deeper penetration and fibroblastic activity and scarring which results in the formation
increased risk of adjacent organ injury.4 Alkalis have neutral- of a stricture in due course of time. There is completion of re-­ep-
ising action on the acid in the stomach and avoid pyloric spasm, ithelisation by the sixth week.
making the stomach less prone to injury.10 The common alkalis
available are drain cleaners (30% liquid sodium hydroxide) and CLINICAL PRESENTATION
household cleaners (70% sodium hypochlorite). In the presence of relevant history, the diagnosis is obvious. In the
acute phase of the illness, patients present with intense oropha-
Although it was initially thought that acids more commonly ryngeal and chest pain, associated with vomiting, excessive sali-
affect the stomach and alkalis, the oesophagus’ this belief has been vation and drooling.12 Haematemesis may also be present in few
recently questioned.4 Strong acids and alkali (pH <2 and >12, cases. Upper airway involvement leads to respiratory distress,
respectively) cause more severe and transmural injury and can stridor and hoarseness. Severe chest pain radiating to the back,
also cause systemic side effects such as electrolyte imbalances.11 with episodes of fever and cough may suggest oesophageal perfo-
ration.13 Epigastric pain or severe abdominal pain can occur in
The nature of injury caused by a corrosive agent depends upon the presence of gastric injury.
various factors such as the type and property of the ingested
agent, its concentration and the intent of ingestion with injury In the chronic phase, scarring and fibrosis lead to oesophageal
being more severe in suicidal as compared to accidental inges- stricture which present as dysphagia, regurgitation, substernal
tion.5 When the agent is in solid form or is immediately expelled, discomfort or recurrent aspiration.8,14 Gastric strictures present
the organs which suffer significant injury are the oral cavity, with vomiting, early satiety and weight loss.8 Laryngeal or
pharynx and upper oesophagus. In cases where the agent is in epiglottic involvement may lead to stridor, hoarseness or recur-
liquid form or is ingested in larger quantities, the distal oesoph- rent aspirations.15 Recurrent pulmonary infections are noted in
agus and the stomach are mostly affected.5 The pathological cases of oesophago-­bronchial or oesophago-­pulmonary fistulas.
changes are usually similar with both these agents. Based on the In long-­standing cases, years after the episode of ingestion, there
time elapsed after ingestion of the corrosive agent, pathological may be malignant transformation of the involved segment of the
changes in the upper GIT vary and have been divided into three GIT (more common with alkali ingestion) and the patients may
phases.12 present with new onset or progressive dysphagia and neck or
chest pain.16
Phase I (within 24 h): Initially, there are mucosal erosions and
ulcerations followed by small vessel thrombosis, haemorrhage IMAGING MODALITIES
and inflammation. With increasing severity, there is extensive Diagnosis is usually based on history and clinical examination.
thrombosis of the submucosal vessels that leads to necrosis of Radiological investigations help in assessing the severity of
injury and aiding further management.
Figure 1. Plain radiographs. (a) Chest radiograph of a
40-­year-­old male with suicidal acid ingestion with subsequent Plain radiograph
oesophageal perforation showing left hydropneumothorax. Chest and abdominal radiographs are usually the initial investi-
(b) Chest radiograph of a 35-­year-­old male 1 week after sui- gations carried out in the emergency setting. The findings on the
cidal acid ingestion shows pneumomediastinum with large left
chest radiograph include pleural effusion, pneumomediastinum,
pleural effusion. (c) Abdominal radiograph of a 45-­year-­old
pneumothorax as well as nodules and consolidation secondary to
female with acid ingestion showing pneumoperitoneum due
aspiration pneumonitis (Figure 1).17 Abdominal radiograph may
to gastric perforation.
help in the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum in cases of hollow
visceral perforation.18 Radiographs also help in the detection of
metallic foreign bodies such as button batteries.18,19

Barium or oral contrast studies

In the acute phase, endoscopy is more important in severity
assessment and oral contrast studies have a limited role.12 They
are usually not indicated as barium can cause inflammatory reac-
tion in the extraluminal tissues in the event of perforation and
oral iodinated contrast medium may cause pulmonary oedema,

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Figure 2. Barium studies. Acute stage. (a) Barium swallow Figure 3. Endoscopy. Acute stage. (a) Endoscopy images of
of a 20-­year-­old female, presenting with dysphagia, one day two patients of acute corrosive injury show areas of linear
after corrosive ingestion shows long segment under disten- ulcers and necrosis in the oesophagus and (b) bleeding from
sibility of the thoracic oesophagus (arrows) with reduced circumferential esophageal ulcers.Chronic stage. (c) Endos-
frequency and strength of primary peristalsis (seen on fluor- copy image shows oesophageal stricture after 3 months of
oscopy). Chronic stage. (b) 18-­year-­old female with accidental corrosive injury. (d) Endoscopy image shows minimal residual
acid ingestion shows deformity of bilateral vallecula and pyri- stricture in the oesophagus after multiple sessions of dilata-
form sinus (arrows) with complete stricture. (c) A 20-­year-­old tion with oesophagus showing pseudotrachealisation. [Image
female with history of suicidal acid ingestion shows short seg- courtesy: Dr Soumya Jagannath and Dr Pramod K Garg,
ment stricture in the hypopharynx and upper cervical oesoph- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical
agus (arrow). (d) A 19-­year-­old girl with alkali ingestion shows Sciences, New Delhi, India].
a long-­ segment stricture in the oesophagus (white arrow)
with multiple diverticula (black arrows). (e) A 32-­ year-­
old
female with acid ingestion shows long-­ segment stricture
with contained leak of barium into mediastinum (arrow). (f)
A 20-­year-­old male with suicidal acid ingestion shows distal
gastric stricture with diverticula in the gastric wall (arrows).

GIT.22,23 They help to assess the severity and the extent of the
disease prior to endoscopic or surgical treatment.21,23 Further-
more, they may demonstrate the presence of any fistulous
communications with adjacent viscera (trachea, bronchi, lungs,
pleura, peritoneum), diverticula, abnormal oesophageal motility
and gastro-­oesophageal reflux (Figure  2).11 Another important
role of oral contrast study is in the evaluation of post-­operative
patients, either for anastomotic site leaks immediately after
surgery or for anastomotic strictures during follow-­up.

Endoscopy
Endoscopy plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management
if aspirated.20 Use of iso-­osmolar non-­ionic or low osmolar of patients with corrosive injury. Endoscopy is usually performed
contrast medium is preferred due to lower risk of pulmonary within 24–48 h after ingestion, and initial endoscopy after 96 h of
oedema.20 Oral contrast studies are usually performed once the corrosive ingestion is not advised because the injured oesophagus
patient is able to swallow liquids and are helpful in the patients is in the phase of ulceration and granulation tissue formation,
planned for non-­operative management. Findings on the contrast when it is fragile and easily perforated.24,25 Endoscopic findings
study in the acute or subacute phase include diffuse oesophageal in acute setting help to classify patients based on the severity of
narrowing,(Figure 2A) reduced peristalsis of the oesophagus and mucosal injury and helps in prognostication (Figure 3A and B).
stomach with low-­amplitude contractions, mucosal ulcerations The Zargar classification is used for grading the early endoscopic
and, in cases of transmural necrosis and perforation, leak of findings and treatment varies based on the severity of grading
contrast into the airway, mediastinum, pleural cavity or perito- (Table  1).25 Patients with no evidence of mucosal injury may
neal cavity.21 be discharged timely leading to reduced cost of hospital stay.
In patients with grade III injury based on endoscopy, surgery
The ideal time to perform barium studies is around the third is usually indicated. However, endoscopy is unable to differen-
week, when they can reliably define the characteristics of the tiate between superficial and transmural necrosis and based on
various abnormalities, particularly strictures, of the upper endoscopy alone unnecessary surgeries may be performed.24,26

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 BJR Agarwal et al

Table 1. Zargar endoscopic grading of acute corrosive injury

Zargar score Endoscopic findings Prognosis and treatment

I Oedema and hyperaemia of the mucosa Stricture formation is very unlikely; patients can start oral
feeds and are discharged.
IIa Friability, haemorrhages, erosion, blisters, whitish
membranes, exudates and superficial ulcerations
IIb Grade IIa with deep or circumferential ulceration Stricture formation likely in 30–70% of patients Follow up with
barium swallow at 3 weeks and balloon dilatation, if required.
IIIa Small scattered areas of necrosis Esophageal strictures form in up to 90%. Risk of perforation
IIIb Extensive necrosis Emergency surgery is recommended.
IV Perforation

In the chronic stage, endoscopy plays a role in the diagnosis and injection and oesophageal stent placement may be performed for
treatment of strictures (Figure  3C and D). Endoscopic dilata- refractory strictures.27
tion of strictures is usually done at 3 weeks, after its diagnosis
on barium swallow study.24 In addition to dilatation, proce-
Computed Tomography (CT) scan
dures such as electrocision, intralesional steroid or mitomycin-­C
Emergency CT is increasingly being used in the evaluation of
acute corrosive injury.5,28,29 In view of the disadvantages of
Figure 4. CT grades of acute corrosive injury (Ryu et al) of endoscopy described above, CT becomes a good alternative to
upper gastrointestinal tract with schematic diagrams and assess the degree of injury and triage patients for management.5
corresponding CT images. (a–c): Grade I: Normal wall thick- The World Society of Emergency Surgery consensus conference
ness (<3 mm) and enhancement. Oesophagus may be dilated in 2015 supported and reinforced the use of emergency CT scan
due to motility changes (arrows in b and c). (d–f): Grade II: in the management of acute corrosive injury.10
Wall oedema (>3 mm thick) with hypo-­enhancement. Normal
serosa or adventitia (arrows in e and f). G–I: Grade III: Wall CT is increasingly being used to grade acute corrosive injury.
oedema (>3 mm thick) with surrounding soft tissue strand- Ryu et al, proposed a classification system for corrosive injury
ing (arrows in h and i). Sharp interface maintained with ser- of the upper GIT based on CT findings and showed that it was
osa (arrows). (j–l): Grade IV: Wall oedema (>3 mm thick) with better than the endoscopic grading in predicting long-­ term
surrounding soft tissue stranding (arrow in k) or collection
complications.28 The grading system by Ryu et al, defines four
(arrow in l) with loss of sharp interface with serosa.
grades with good endoscopic correlation (Figure  4).28 Grade
I: normal wall (thickness <3 mm); Grade II: wall oedema only
(thickness >3 mm); Grade III: wall oedema with surrounding
soft tissue stranding, with sharp interface; and Grade IV: wall
oedema with surrounding soft tissue stranding and ill-­defined
interface with or without collection. Following this, Lurie et al,
in their study, concluded that early endoscopy is more sensitive
and cannot be replaced by CT alone.30 Their grading were similar
to that of Ryu et al, except that their highest grade included air
bubbles in the organ wall and around it. Although CT had a high
sensitivity of 90%, the specificity was only 30–40%. This conclu-
sion was challenged by other studies which found that using CT
for Grade 3b injuries improved patient survival and decreased
management costs and CT outperformed endoscopy in deciding
between operative and non-­operative management.26,31 The high
interobserver agreement between specialised and general radiol-
ogists in assessing the oesophagus for transmural involvement
allows this modality to be used outside tertiary-­care centres.5
Based on the presence and extent of oesophageal and gastric wall
enhancement on CT scan, which determines viability, another
classification was defined by Chirica et al.5 Their classification
is defined as follows: Grade I: normal appearing organs; Grade
II: wall oedema with surrounding soft tissue inflammation and
post-­contrast wall enhancement; and Grade III: absence of post-­
contrast wall enhancement, suggesting transmural involvement.
Although the classification by Ryu et al, is commonly used at

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Figure 5. A 31-­year-­old female with suicidal acid ingestion. (a) oesophageal – airway fistulas, oesophageal or gastric mucocele
Barium study shows long-­segment stricture of distal stomach formation due to post-­surgical isolation or closed obstruction
(black arrow) with diverticula (white arrows). (b) Coronal CT due to severe strictures at two sites and more importantly, malig-
image shows gross low-­density smooth thickening of distal nancies developing in the oesophagus post-­ caustic injury.32
body of the stomach (arrow) consistent with fibrosis. Furthermore, CT scan helps in the evaluation of post-­operative
complications and can act as a guide for interventions like
drainage of collections and mucoceles.33

COMPLICATIONS OF CORROSIVE INGESTION

Strictures: These are the most common complication of corrosive
injury and commonly involve the oesophagus and stomach.5,8
They are typically long segment and usually have a smooth
outline (Figures 2 and 5). However, in long-­standing cases, there
may be irregularity due to asymmetric strictures, diverticula and
contained leaks.34 Short segment strictures may also be seen
and are often amenable to endoscopic or fluoroscopic balloon
dilatation.
present, the classification by Chirica et al, adds wall enhance-
ment as a criterion making it more suitable for deciding clinical Haemorrhage: Bleeding is a rare complication and usually pres-
management. ents in the subacute phase of injury, that is, 3rd −4th week of
injury.35 It has high mortality and morbidity.35 It usually pres-
The standard CT protocol is to perform a scan from the neck to ents as sentinel bleed, one or two days before a life-­threatening
the iliac crest level after administration of intravenous iodinated bleeding. The corrosive agent erodes the viscera and causes
contrast agent. In cases of additional or predominant abdominal vascular injury which may result in active leak or formation of a
symptoms, extension of the scan to include the pelvis becomes pseudoaneurysm. These cases can be managed either by surgery
necessary. Chirica et al, have suggested performing a non-­ or by endovascular embolization of the bleeding site (Figure 6).
contrast scan prior to contrast scans for better definition of the CT angiography is often necessary for the diagnosis of the cause
extent of injury.5 and source of bleeding prior to treatment.

Besides oesophageal and gastric evaluation, CT scan also allows Pulmonary complications: Pulmonary complications include
assessment of the chest, including the mediastinum and the pneumonia secondary to aspiration and opportunistic infections
abdomen for associated findings.30 These include aspiration in the lung secondary to reduced immune status and malnutri-
changes in the lungs, presence of pleural effusion, mediastinal tion (Figure  7).36 Other rare complications are fistulas such as
inflammation or collection, abdominal collections, pneumoperi- oesophago-­ bronchial fistula, oesophago-­ pulmonary fistula or
toneum and vascular complications like pseudoaneurysm. oesophago-­pleural fistula or leaks, particularly in the acute stage
(Figure 7).37 Occasionally, there may be spontaneous rupture of
In the chronic setting, CT scan has limited role. However, it can an oesophageal mucocele into the airway.38
be used as an adjunct to oral contrast studies in the evaluation
of pharyngeal, oesophageal and gastric morphology in patients Perforation and collections: Perforation and development of
with absolute dysphagia (Figure 5). It is also useful in the assess- collections are uncommon complications and typically occur
ment of long-­term complications like aspiration pneumonitis, in the acute stage and is associated with full thickness necrosis
of the oesophagus or stomach.22 Esophageal perforation may
result in pneumomediastinum and mediastinitis which may lead
Figure 6. A 27-­year-­old female, presenting with haematem-
to formation of mediastinal abscess. In cases of full thickness
esis, 3 weeks after corrosive intake. (a): Coronal CT image
stomach injury, pneumoperitoneum and abdominal collections
shows a small pseudoaneurysm arising from right gastro-­
epiploic artery (arrow). (b–c): Digital subtraction angiography
may develop.17,22 Involvement of contiguous organs such as
images of gastroduodenal artery show the pseudoaneurysm
transverse colon and pancreas may also occur in rare instances.39
(arrow in c), which was successfully embolized using n-­butyl
cyanoacrylate (arrow in c). Surgical complications: In the post-­ operative period, these
patients may develop anastomotic site leaks and collections
(Figure  8), presenting with fever and/or leucocytosis. Oral
contrast studies and CT scan help to identify the site of leak
and collection and aid in aspiration or drainage. One of the late
surgical complications is the development of anastomotic site
stricture (Figure  8).40 These patients present with persistent or
recurrent dysphagia. Rarely, in the late post-­operative period,
the surgically isolated oesophagus or stomach with an intact
epithelium may distend due to retained secretions resulting in a

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Figure 7. Pulmonary complications. (a, b) A 32-­ year-­old Figure 9. Malignancy. A 54-­year-­old male, with history of ret-
male with history of corrosive injury presenting with recur- rosternal gastric pull-­
up for corrosive intake, 14 years ago,
rent cough. Barium swallow (a) shows contrast agent in both presenting with increasing upper chest pain. (a) Axial CT
bronchi (arrows) and axial CT scan (b) shows fistulous com- scan shows a homogeneous mass (thin arrow) in the region
munication between the oesophagus and left main bronchus of the native oesophagus encasing aorta. Pulled-­ up stom-
(arrow). (c–d) A 20-­year-­old male with history of suicidal alkali ach is noted (block arrow). (b) CT-­guided biopsy of the mass
ingestion and repeated chest infections. Barium swallow (c) through extrapleural route showed squamous cell carcinoma.
shows leak of contrast agent into an area of retrocardiac con-
solidation (arrow) and axial CT image (d) shows oesophago-­
pulmonary fistula and left lower lobe consolidation with oral
contrast agent in the alveoli. (e–f) A 34-­year-­old male, with
history of gastric pull up for corrosive injury, presenting with
cough, fever and weight loss. Axial CT images, mediastinal
(e) and lung (f) windows show necrotic mediastinal nodes
(arrow), nodules in left lower lobe (circle) and bilateral pleural
effusion (asterisks) suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis.

mucocele (Figure 8).41 However, in most situations, this does not

happen as the mucosa is destroyed by chronic inflammation and
scarring.42 Larger mucoceles present as chest pain, dysphagia,
abdominal pain and, rarely, respiratory distress due to airway
compression.41 Definitive management is oesophagectomy or
gastrectomy or a gastrojejunostomy. Sometimes, as a bridging or
temporary procedure, image-­guided drainage of the mucocele
can be performed. Chemical ablation of the mucocele has also
been reported.43

Malignancy: Although this complication is rare, a few cases of

squamous cell carcinoma have been reported in long-­standing
caustic injury of the oesophagus. The incidence of developing
oesophageal malignancy is low (3–7.2%).16,32 Imaging with CT
Figure 8. Surgical complications. (a–b). A 23-­year-­old male scan is required in patients presenting with progressive symp-
with presenting with fever after oesophagectomy and colonic
toms and weight loss (Figure 9).32 A few case reports have also
interposition. Axial CT scans show collections in the neck
shown squamous metaplasia and cancer developing in the
(arrow in a) and pleural cavity (arrow in b). (c) A 17-­year-­old
stomach post-­corrosive injury.44
girl with persistent dysphagia post-­surgery. Barium swallow
shows proximal anastomotic site stricture (arrow). (d–e) A
19-­year-­old male post-­retrosternal gastric pull-­up presenting MANAGEMENT
with chest pain and respiratory discomfort. Coronal (d) and Management depends on the time of presentation. Initial
axial (e) CT scans show mucocele formation in the isolated management includes resuscitation with airway management
native oesophagus (arrow). and haemodynamic stabilisation.11 There is varied consensus on
the placement of naso-­gastric tube in patients with acute corro-
sive injury with no uniform recommendations.10 Oesophageal
catheterisation with a nasogastric tube may induce vomiting
and retching which can increase the exposure of the oesopha-
geal mucosa to the corrosive agent. The procedure also increases
the risk of oesophageal perforation. Furthermore, its role in
preventing vomiting and stricture formation is controversial and
it may cause long-­segment strictures, act as a nidus for infection
and may worsen reflux.11 However, nasogastric tube placement
can help to maintain luminal patency, may be helpful in initiating
early enteral feeding and provide alumen for future dilatation.45
This decision, therefore, is based on the institutional protocol
and individual case. Most experts prefer to place a nasogastric
tube, whenever required, under endoscopic guidance to avoid
the risks of blind placement.10

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 Corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract BJR

Figure 10. Drainage. (a) An 18-­year-­old male with history of collections, pleural effusion and ascites under image guidance
acid ingestion. Axial CT image shows an abdominal collec- (Figure 10).
tion with air-­fluid level due to gastric perforation and place-
ment of pigtail catheter. (b) A 30-­year-­old female with acute In the chronic stage, the interventional radiologist has more roles
corrosive intake and respiratory distress. Frontal chest radio- to play. These include:
graph shows left pleural collection with pigtail catheter in situ.
(c,d) An 18-­year-­old female with history of corrosive injury 18 • Balloon dilatation or stenting of the oesophageal strictures
months back and surgical feeding jejunostomy presenting under fluoroscopy.
with abdominal distension and pain. Axial CT image (c) shows • Drainage of mucoceles and post-­operative collections under
a large gastric mucocele (asterisk) due to pyloric stricture image guidance.
(arrow), which was drained under ultrasound guidance (d) by • Endovascular embolization of vascular complications like
catheter.
pseudoaneurysm or active contrast leak.
• Percutaneous feeding jejunostomy.
• Image-­guided biopsy for malignancy developing in the
surgically isolated oesophagus, where endoscopic approach is
not possible.

Fluoroscopic balloon dilatation or stenting of strictures: This is

usually performed either as a primary procedure or in cases
where endoscopy is contraindicated or difficult. Dilatation is
performed in a staged manner, using smaller balloons initially
followed by larger ones to avoid perforation (Figure  11).49 An
oesophageal lumen diameter of 14–15 mm is usually adequate.
The dilatation sessions are repeated at 3–4 week intervals as
necessary. The recurrence rate of strictures after balloon dilata-
tion is 30–40%, and 10% of the strictures are refractory.50 Stent
placement across the oesophageal stricture can also be performed
under fluoroscopic guidance.49 However, these indwelling stents
are associated with complications like fistula formation, ulcer-
ation and tissue hyperplasia.51 Biodegradable stents have fewer
complications, and do not need to be retrieved, but are more
expensive.51 Covered stents also help in the treatment of long-­
standing fistulas and leaks.
In the acute phase, low-­grade injuries are managed conserva-
tively.46 An oral contrast study is usually performed at follow-­up. Drainage of mucoceles: Mucoceles are seen in the chronic
High-­grade injuries require radical surgery with resection of the phase and occur after surgical isolation of the oesophagus
necrosed viscera (oesophagectomy, gastrectomy and oesophago-­ and stomach.41 Mucoceles become symptomatic when large,
gastrectomy) along with a feeding jejunostomy. The common presenting with chest pain, respiratory distress, fever and regur-
indications for surgery in the acute phase are the presence of gitation of mucoid content. Drainage can be done as a tempo-
oesophageal perforation, transmural injury, peritonitis and rary procedure either under fluoroscopic guidance when there
massive haematemesis.5,29 is a stricture in the proximal opening of the oesophagus (due to
incomplete surgical isolation) or under ultrasound (Figure 10) or
In the late phase, fibrosis and scarring develops, leading to CT guidance, when it is completely isolated.
complications like strictures, bleeding (occurring 3–4 weeks after
ingestion), fistulas with adjacent trachea-­bronchial tree or aorta To prevent recurrence, a definitive surgery, either removal of
and aspiration-­related changes in lung.36 In the chronic phase, the distended segment or surgical decompression into jejunal
definitive treatment is mainly done by either endoscopic or loop is required.41 Alternatively, sclerotherapy can be performed
surgical approaches. Endoscopic treatment involves staged dila- successfully under fluoroscopic guidance.43 In this technique, a
tation for the oesophageal or gastric strictures and stent place- sclerosant, usually absolute alcohol, is instilled into the muco-
ment.24 Stents are also used for fistulas.47 Indications for surgery cele through the same catheter used for drainage. The solution
include failure of endoscopic treatment (refractory strictures), is reaspirated after 15–30 min and the catheter is clamped. The
long-­segment strictures (>10 cm) or presence of multiple stric- procedure is repeated 2–3 times at an interval of 3–4 weeks for
tures.27,48 Oesophageal reconstruction is done using stomach, successful destruction of the mucosa and obliteration of the
colon and rarely jejunum. lumen (Figure 12).

RADIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS Endovascular embolization for vascular complications: Bleeding is

Interventional radiologists play a major role in the management a rare complication presenting in the 3rd–4th week.35 Endoscopic
of corrosive injury in both stages. In the acute setting, the main treatment is possible for superficial bleeders. Endovascular
role is in the drainage of inflammatory or perforation-­related embolization is an effective treatment option with high success

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 BJR Agarwal et al

Figure 11. Balloon dilatation. A 5-­year-­old male with history of Figure 12. Ablation of mucocele. A 23-­year-­old female with
accidental corrosive intake 4 months back and oesophageal pre-­existing chest wall deformity and retrosternal gastric
stricture. Fluoroscopic spot shows balloon dilatation of the pull-­up for accidental acid ingestion 1-­year back, presenting
short-­segment oesophageal stricture. Waist is noted at the with chest pain and dyspnoea due to mucocele. (a) Fluor-
stricture site (arrow). oscopic spot image shows the filling of the mucocele with
absolute alcohol mixed with iodinated contrast agent (arrow)
through a drainage catheter. The procedure was repeated
after 1 month. (b) Initial axial CT image shows the oesoph-
ageal mucocele (arrow). (c) Follow-­up axial balanced turbo
field echo MR image after 4 months shows near complete
ablation of the oesophagus (arrow).

is helpful.54 Under ultrasound guidance, a jejunal loop is identi-

fied in the left upper quadrant and punctured. After confirming
the jejunal loop by injecting small amount of iodinated contrast
medium, two T-­anchor sutures are placed (Figure  13). Then, a
guidewire is advanced into the jejunum under fluoroscopic guid-
ance, followed by serial dilatation of the tract and 12 – 14F cath-
eter placement.

Image-­guided biopsy: In patients of corrosive injury who develop

malignancy in the surgically isolated oesophagus, sampling
through endoscopic approach is not possible. Hence, biopsy
under CT guidance is the technique of choice and can be
performed safely (Figure 9B).

Figure 13. Percutaneous feeding jejunostomy. A 34-­year-­old

female, with corrosive oesophageal stricture and failed endo-
rates in patients with delayed bleeding after corrosive injury scopic dilatation. (a–c): Fluoroscopic spot images show the
and especially in those who demonstrate a single site of bleed steps of percutaneous feeding jejunostomy tube placement.
on endoscopy or CT angiography (Figure  6).52 In cases where (a) Anchor sutures to fix the jejunum followed by guidewire
endoscopy or embolization fails, surgery is required.52 placement into the jejunum (arrow). (b) serial dilatation of the
tract (arrow). (c) final position of 14F foley’s catheter (arrow).
Percutaneous feeding jejunostomy: Most of the patients with
severe corrosive injury are treated with a surgical feeding jeju-
nostomy for maintaining nutrition.53 However, surgical feeding
jejunostomy is associated with much higher complication rates
and has other disadvantages such as need for general anaesthesia,
post-­operative ileus and wound infection.54 Therefore, place-
ment of a feeding jejunostomy catheter under image guidance

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 Corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract BJR

CONCLUSION and play a major role in the disease evaluation, in both acute
Corrosive injuries of the upper GIT are rare but incapacitating. and chronic stages. Management requires a multidisciplinary
The disease can be devastating in both the acute and chronic team approach with the radiologist playing an important role in
forms and is potentially lethal. Their chronic sequelae increase grading the injury in the acute phase, assessing disease extent in
morbidity and considerably influence the quality of life. Oral the late phase and in performing radiological interventions in
contrast study and CT scan are the investigations of choice both phases.

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