Clin Endosc.  2018 Jul;51(4):381-383. 10.5946/ce.2017.178.

Stomach Perforation Caused by Ingesting Liquid Nitrogen: A Case Report on the Effect of a Dangerous Snack

• Kim DW

• KMID: 2419711
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2017.178

Abstract

We report our experience with a case of stomach perforation after accidental ingestion of liquid nitrogen. A 13-year-old boy ate a snack at an amusement park and began to complain of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain with shortness of breath. It was determined that the snack he had ingested had been cooled with liquid nitrogen. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and a chest X-ray showed a large volume of pneumoperitoneum. During surgery, a 4-cm perforation of the angularis incisura of the stomach was identified. Primary repair and omentopexy was performed. The patient was discharged without postoperative complications.

Keyword

Stomach perforation; Liquid nitrogen; Barotrauma

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Abdominal Pain
Adolescent
Barotrauma
Dyspnea
Eating
Humans
Male
Nitrogen*
Pneumoperitoneum
Postoperative Complications
Snacks*
Stomach*
Thorax
Nitrogen

Figure

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  Fig. 1. The abdomen of the 13-year-old boy was severely distended. (A) Front view. (B) Side view.

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  Fig. 2. Massive pneumoperitoneum of the abdomen on (A) chest X-ray and (B) computed axial tomography scan.

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  Fig. 3. A 4-cm perforation in the angularis incisura of the stomach was identified.

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  Fig. 4. Postoperative upper gastrointestinal series.

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