Impacted gastroscope in the esophagus

An 81-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted to our hospital. Because she had been suffering from persistent nausea, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. During the procedure, a large hiatal hernia was identified, and the scope was successfully introduced into the distal stomach. After several attempts to intubate the duodenum, the scope slipped back into the esophagus as it retroflexed and resisted straightening ([Fig. 1 a]), and a strong resistance was felt immediately. We attempted unsuccessfully to move the scope back and forth ([Fig. 1 b]). Under fluoroscopy, the tip of the scope was confirmed to be acutely angulated with distortion and impacted in the lower esophagus ([Fig. 2]). The retroflexed scope was withdrawn slowly under fluoroscopy and removed successfully in this position. Subsequent esophagoscopy showed a shallow trauma in the lower esophagus, but computed tomography of the chest and neck revealed no air density in the soft tissue.

Fig. 1 An 81-year-old woman with hypertension was treated with esophagogastroduodenoscopy; several attempts were made to intubate the duodenum. a The scope slipped back into the esophagus as it retroflexed. b Retroflexed view showing 30-cm length marker.

Fig. 2 During esophagogastroduodenoscopy in an 81-year-old woman, fluoroscopy showed that the tip of the scope was acutely angulated with distortion and impacted in the lower esophagus.

Some cases of endoscope impaction have been reported in the literature [1] [2] [3], and they tend to occur in a hiatal hernia sac [1]. Kavin and Schneider withdrew the instrument by pulling both the distal and proximal ends at the same time under X-ray guidance, which is the same as the method we used. Pregun and colleagues reported their experience with a doubled-back endoscope in the esophagus. The endoscope was straightened in the stomach under laparotomy [3].

This rare adverse event must be considered prior to retroflexion in patients with a large hiatal hernia, gastric remnant, or deformed stomach.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AB

Competing interests: None

• References

• 1 Kavin H, Schneider J. Impaction of a fibre-optic gastroscope in the oesophagus: an unusual complication of gastroscopy. S Afr Med J 1970; 44: 478-479
• 2 Braucher RE, Kirsner JB. Case report: impacted fiberscope. Gastrointest Endosc 1965; 12: 20-21
• 3 Pregun I, Zágoni T, Péter A et al. Rare complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: doubled-back endoscope in the esophagus. Endoscopy 2008; 40 (Suppl. 02) E48