A patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) may develop an esophageal bezoar. This can from when sucralfate, antacids, enteral feeding and gastric acid are mixed together and precipitate in the esophagus.
Risk factors for an esophageal bezoar:
(1) nasogastric tube or reflux disease, allowing reflux of gastric acid and enteral feedings
(2) administration of sucralfate and antacids to reduce gastric erosions
(3) recumbent position
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