A patient who survived extensive deep burns develops perforation of a peptic ulcer during the second week of hospitalisation. The ulcer typical of this complication is characteristically located in the:
- A Oesophagus
- B Gastric fundus
- C Duodenum ✓
- D Jejunum
Correct answer: C. Duodenum
Explanation
Curling's ulcer is the acute duodenal ulcer classically described after severe burns, thought to result from mucosal ischaemia and reduced bicarbonate secretion due to hypovolaemia. It differs from Cushing's ulcer, which follows head injury or neurosurgery and is typically gastric or oesophageal. Curling's ulcer is prone to painless bleeding and perforation, often in the second week after the burn.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.