Pulmonary embolization of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate after endoscopic injection therapy for gastric variceal bleeding.

Abstract

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, a tissue adhesive that polymerizes on contact with weak bases such as blood, is being used widely outside the United States to obliterate gastric varices. Embolization of this material can occur via portosystemic shunts. We report a case of pulmonary embolization of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (an analogue of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) that occurred after endoscopic injection therapy for gastric variceal bleeding. Cyanoacrylate embolism is difficult to diagnose with computed tomographic angiography because radiopaque emboli are masked by the contrast material. It is important to distinguish these emboli from conventional thromboemboli because "glue emboli" require only symptomatic treatment. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for embolism in the setting of tachycardia, chest pain, or hypoxia after a patient undergoes endoscopic injection therapy with cyanoacrylate glue for gastric variceal bleeding. The radiologist should be alerted so that the appropriate radiographic settings are used to make the diagnosis.

• Authors: Otis B Rickman, James P Utz, Gregory L Aughenbaugh, Christopher J Gostout
• Journal: Mayo Clinic proceedings (Mayo Clin Proc) Vol. 79 Issue 11 Pg. 1455-8 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0025-6196 [Print] England
• PMID: 15544027 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyanoacrylates
• Tissue Adhesives
• octyl 2-cyanoacrylate

Topics

• Cyanoacrylates (adverse effects)
• Embolization, Therapeutic (adverse effects)
• Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
• Esophageal and Gastric Varices (therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Embolism (etiology)
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Tissue Adhesives (adverse effects)