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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
08:38
Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food
Published on: May 6, 2013
Summary
Dropping aluminum beverage can pull-tabs into cans poses medical risks. Ingestion or aspiration can necessitate emergency procedures like endoscopy or surgery for removal.
Area of Science:
- Medical Safety
- Consumer Product Hazards
- Foreign Body Ingestion/Aspiration
Background:
- Aluminum beverage cans utilize pull-tabs for opening.
- Accidental detachment and subsequent ingestion or aspiration of pull-tabs present a risk.
- The radiolucency of aluminum complicates diagnostic imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential medical hazards associated with beverage can pull-tabs.
- To document cases of inadvertent pull-tab ingestion and aspiration.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges posed by aluminum foreign bodies.
Main Methods:
- Case review of patients presenting with pull-tab related incidents.
- Description of medical interventions required for foreign body removal.
- Discussion of diagnostic imaging limitations.
Main Results:
- Two cases of inadvertent pull-tab ingestion were identified.
- One case of inadvertent pull-tab aspiration was documented.
- Esophageal endoscopic extraction and thoracotomy for bronchial removal were performed.
Conclusions:
- The practice of dropping pull-tabs into beverage cans can lead to serious medical complications.
- Prompt medical intervention is crucial for managing ingested or aspirated pull-tabs.
- Radiological detection of aluminum foreign bodies requires careful consideration due to density.
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