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Ingestion of Foreign Bodies

The placing of foreign materials in the mouth is very common in children. The most common ingested foreign bodies are coins. Usually children are less than 4 years of age and boys predominate. There is a natural tendency of children to put objects in their mouths and most will pass into the stomach and through the gastrointestinal tract without much difficulty. 

Areas of esophagus that foreign bodies may get caught

 

1.         Thoracic inlet- this will be evident by the presence of foreign body at the level of the clavicle on an xray examination.

2.         Mid-esophagus. This will be at the level of the carina and aortic arch

3.         Esophageal-stomach junction.

4.         Any area of the esophagus where there is a stricture secondary to previous surgery or caustic burn.

 

Symptoms

 

1.         Child may be asymptomatic

2.         Choking, dysphagia, discomfort ,drooling and/or vomiting

3.         if the foreign body is compressing the larynx or trachea.

4.         If the foreign body perforates the esophagus, signs of pain and infection

 

Evaluation

 

1.         The ingestion of foreign objects is often very alarming to families and if the child is asymptomatic, the family should try to find out what the child ingested and the quantity.

 

 

After reassuring the family, a chest xray should be taken that includes the stomach. This does not have to be on an emergency basis if the child is asymptomatic.

 

2.         The radiograph will identify the nature of the foreign body, the size, number, and location. Coins will be in the transverse position on a PA film of the chest.

3.         If the history suggests the ingestion of a foreign object and none is seen on a plain xray, an esophagram should be done to look for a radiolucent object. 

4.         Foreign bodies should be removed within 24 hours to prevent erosive changes.

5.         The majority of objects that have passed into the stomach will go through the GI tract. Possible areas of getting caught are the duodenal sweep, ligament of Treitz, Meckel's diverticulum, and the appendix. 

6.         It is recommended to repeat xray of chest prior to performing removal procedure to insure that object has not passed into the stomach by itself.

 

Removal Techniques

 

1.         Esophagoscopy- rigid (general anesthesia) and flexible (sedation) 

2.         Balloon catheter

3.         Bougienage- pushing the object into the stomach

4.         Waiting- repeat examination in 24 hours to see if object has passed into the stomach

 

Batteries and Sharp Objects

 

1.         Any sharp object or battery in the esophagus must be removed immediately. Sharp objects arebest removed by esophagoscopy. Once in the stomach, most objects will pass into the feces, but xrays every few days should be performed to make sure that the objects aren't stationary. Cathartics maybe helpful in speeding transit time. 

2.         Going through stools not recommended.

 

‡  References

 

1.         McGahren E. Esophageal Foreign Bodies. Pediatrics in Review. 1999; 20L129-133. 

2.         Neilson, Ian. Ingestion of Coins and Batteries. Pediatrics in Review. January 1995

3.         Rovin JD and Rodgers BM. Pediatric Foreign Body Aspiration. Pediatrics in Review. 2000; 21:86-90.

4.         Waltzman M.L. Randomized Trial of the Management of Esphogeal Coins Pediatrics Sept 2005

5.         Litovitz T. Emerging Battery-Ingestion Hazard: Clinical Implication Pediatrics June 2010
6.         Brumbaugh D et. al. Management of Button Battery induced Hemorrhage in Children.  Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterolgy and Nutrition.  May 2011