Corrosive Injury Due to Edible Vinegar.
- Author:
Do Hyoun KIM
1
;
Sung Woo LEE
;
In NAMGUNG
;
Jong Hak PARK
;
Su Jin KIM
;
Yun Sik HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine Korea University, Seoul, Korea. kuedlee@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Vinegar;
Intoxication;
Corrosive injury;
Metabolic acidosis
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Acetic Acid;
Acidosis;
Beauty;
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation;
Eating;
Emergencies;
Gastrointestinal Tract;
Hemoperfusion;
Humans;
Critical Care;
Kidney;
Liver;
Vital Signs
- From:Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
2011;9(1):34-38
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Vinegar is a very popular ingredient used in many cuisines. It is also known for its beneficial health, beauty and possible weight-loss properties. The authors report on a patient who presented to the emergency department with unstable vital signs complaining of generalized abdominal pain after ingestion of 450 ml of apple cider vinegar. We documented a case of corrosive gastrointestinal injury with persistent metabolic acidosis occurring after ingesting apple cider vinegar with an acetic acid concentration of 12~14%. Toxic damage to the liver and kidney were also observed, peaking on post-ingestion day 3. The patient received supportive care and hemoperfusion for three days without much clinical improvement and died in the seventh day of intensive care due to disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi organ failure. Edible vinegar, when taken in large amounts, is capable of inducing corrosive injuries of the GI tract as well as severe systemic toxicities, such as metabolic acidosis. Safety precautions regarding vinegar deserve more public attention and clinicians also should be astute enough to recognize the potential damage accompanying vinegar ingestion.
