Accidental aspiration of a solid tablet of sodium hydroxide

Abstract

Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive, highly alkaline (PKa=14.8) household product. Ingestion of sodium hydroxide liquid is common, showing toxicity on the oesophagus and stomach. Nevertheless, cases of sodium hydroxide ingestions in pellet are rare and the management of them is unknown. We report the case of a 65-year-old man who accidentally swallowed a bleach tablet of 3.5 g. Six hours later, the patient developed an aphonia associated with dysponea stage IV, motivating a nasofibroscopy showing glottis and supraglottic necrosis and oedema for which the patient received intravenous steroids, was intubated and then underwent a tracheotomy. After 2 weeks under tracheotomy, local evolution was favourable allowing a removal of the cannula and a return back home.