Massive pan-gastrointestinal bleeding following cocaine use

World J Pediatr. 2009 May;5(2):149-51. doi: 10.1007/s12519-009-0030-5. Epub 2009 Jul 9.

Abstract

Background: An 18-year-old adolescent with cystic fibrosis developed massive gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods: History, physical examination, upper and lower endoscopy and wireless capsule endoscopy were performed.

Results: Upper and lower endoscopy did not reveal cause of persistent bleeding. Wireless capsule endoscopy revealed pan-gastrointestinal ischemic injury. Further discussion with the patient revealed recent cocaine ingestion.

Conclusion: Most reported cases of gut injury following cocaine abuse describe juxtapyloric and colonic injury; this case demonstrates that ischemic gut injury after cocaine use can be extensive and may be the reason for the associated high mortality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Capsules
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Crack Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Duodenal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Duodenal Diseases / etiology*
  • Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Jejunal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Jejunal Diseases / etiology*
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Crack Cocaine