Curling's ulcer

Occasionally, there may be a large acute ulcer in the duodenum (Curling's ulcer).

A special type of ischemic ulcer developing in duodenum after severe burns is called Curling's ulcer.

Curling's ulcer is an acute peptic ulcer of the duodenum resulting as a complication from severe burns when reduced plasma volume leads to ischemia and cell necrosis (sloughing) of the gastric mucosa.

While emergency surgery was once the only treatment, combination therapies including enteral feeding with powerful antacids such as H-receptor antagonists or, more recently, proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole have made Curling's ulcer a rare complication.