Desiccant-Induced Esophageal Obstruction: An Emerging Patient Safety Issue

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that absorbs water to preserve and protect products from the effects of moisture over time, often used with supplements and medications. They may have similar appearance, size, and shape to the desired medication or supplement. We present a case of an esophageal foreign body obstruction caused by unintentional ingestion of a desiccant. A 75-year-old man with history of GERD complicated by esophageal stricture presented with 24 hours of solid-phase dysphagia, which began after taking vitamins without any unusual ingestion. Upper endoscopy revealed a cylindrically shaped foreign body in the distal esophagus, approximately 2.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm in size, which was removed with a Roth net (US Endoscopy, Mentor, OH) and identified as a pill bottle desiccant (Figure 1). An underlying distal esophageal stricture was discovered and dilated with resolution of symptoms.