What is a lye stricture?

What is a lye stricture?

Also called corrosive or caustic stricture. Due to ingestion of lye (or other caustic substance) leads to sloughing of mucosa followed by extensive fibrosis (Sao Paulo Med J 2001;119:10, eMedicine: Caustic Ingestions [Accessed 15 February 2019])

Is esophageal stricture life threatening?

Most symptomatic strictures require dilation to fix the problem. Many patients need more than one dilation over time to keep the esophagus wide enough for food to pass through. In rare cases, severe and untreated esophageal strictures can cause perforations (small rips), which can be life-threatening.

Is an esophageal stricture an emergency?

Esophageal strictures As discussed above, strictures of the esophagus can cause obstruction which can lead to presentation to the emergency room. Strictures can be benign or malignant in etiology.

What is corrosive esophagitis?

Corrosive esophagitis is characterized by caustic injury due to the ingestion of chemical agents, mainly alkaline substances such as detergents. Esophageal bleeding, perforation, or stricture can be worsened by high-degree corrosive esophagitis.

What would happen if you drink lye?

Swallowing sodium hydroxide may cause severe burns in the mouth, throat and stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms of eating or drinking sodium hydroxide may include bleeding, throwing up or diarrhea. A drop in blood pressure may also occur.

What is the sodium hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a white, waxy, opaque, odorless crystal consisting of sodium ions and hydroxide ions. It is also known as lye or caustic soda and used in many industries, for pH adjustment, to purify drinking water, in household cleaners, and in soap-making.

Why do they put lye in drinking water?

A: Sodium hydroxide is used in the treatment of drinking water to raise the pH of the water to a level that minimizes the corrosion. Raising the pH remains one of the most effective methods for reducing lead corrosion and minimizing lead levels in drinking water.

What is Grade A esophagitis?

LA grade A (LA-A) esophagitis is defined as one or more mucosal breaks not longer than 5 mm, and not extending between the tops of two mucosal folds (Figure 1). In contrast, LA-D esophagitis is defined as one or more mucosal breaks involving 75% or more of the esophageal circumference (Figure 2).