A rare case of small bowel obstruction secondary to activated charcoal administration

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication of the administration of activated charcoal. We describe a 22-year-old patient who had received multiple-dose activated charcoal for carbamazepine intoxication. The patient presented with sudden-onset abdominal pain after discharge from the emergency room, and abdominal imaging examinations revealed findings consistent with small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopic-assisted exploration of the abdomen was offered, and a hard obstructing charcoal mass was found in the small bowel. Clinicians should be aware of the rare occurrence of gastrointestinal complication or obstruction following the administration of multiple-dose activated charcoal, especially in patients who ingested a drug that is potentially antiperistaltic.