Medical management of esophageal food impaction refractory to endoscopic interventions

Most esophageal food impactions either pass spontaneously or are treated endoscopically. Severe food impactions can require extensive endoscopic therapy that potentially could lead to procedure-related complications. There are few alternate therapies available when endoscopy fails. Traditionally, pharmacologic therapy with glucagon has been performed with varying success. This case report and discussion will outline the management of a complete food impaction and medical therapies available when first-line endoscopic treatment fails. We present a case in which the endoscopic intervention for esophageal food bolus impaction was unsuccessful.