To the Editor.— Oral mannitol has been used as a colonic cleaning agent to prepare patients for surgery and for roentgenographic and endoscopic procedures and as a hyperosmotic agent to treat constipation.1 The following case report describes the previously unreported hazard of pneumatic explosion of the colon following the use of oral mannitol as a cathartic agent.
Report of a Case.— A 52-year-old man was admitted for evaluation of chronic low-back pain and modification of analgesic usage. Constipation requiring over-the-counter laxatives was incidentally noted. Medications, which on admission included up to 150 Percodan and Tylox tablets per month, were changed to methadone hydrochloride; dexamethasone hydrochloride; amitriptyline hydrochloride; fluphenazine hydrochloride; intravenous plasma protein fraction, human (Plasmanate); clonidine hydrochloride; oxybutynin chloride; Naldecon; Urised; and tolmetin sodium. He was initially treated for constipation with Fleet enemas, oral mineral oil, milk of magnesia, and bisacodyl tablets, with minimal results. An abdominal roentgenogram, performed
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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