Watch it grow: Esophageal impaction with chia seeds

Abstract

Esophageal obstructions are a medical emergency, due to inability to control secretions and risk of perforation. Epidemiology of esophageal foreign-body impaction has evolved to include increasing incidence of non-meat food causes as well as increasing underlying prevalence of pathologies including eosinophilic esophagitis.  Chia seeds, a staple known for health benefits, have an uncanny ability to absorb large quantities of water leading to a hydrated gel-like substance which can cause an obstruction.  We report the first case of chia seed impaction in a patient with likely eosinophilic esophagitis.