Tetracycline- and doxycycline-induced esophageal ulcerations have been documented in three reports in which six cases have been presented.1-3 We report a seventh case of tetracycline-induced esophageal ulceration in an adolescent. The widespread use of tetracyclines by dermatologists requires them to be aware of this treatment complication, and to take steps routinely to prevent it, with appropriate instructions to the patients.
Report of a Case
A previously healthy 16-year-old boy had pain in the anterior part of the midline of the chest of two weeks' duration. Pain occurred only on swallowing and disappeared immediately thereafter. It was provoked by both liquid and solid foods and had never awakened him from sleep. The pain had appeared the morning after he had ingested three tetracycline capsules. He laid down to retire just after taking the antibiotic and remembered that the capsules had seemed to lodge in his esophagus. He was taking 100