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Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
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Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models

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Dysphagia caused by a foreign body

M P Hiorns1, N Patwardhan, L Spitz

  • 1Institute of Child Health, London, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|November 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A large esophageal foreign body, undetected for five years, caused a boy's dysphagia. This case highlights the importance of considering foreign bodies in pediatric dysphagia evaluations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Dysphagia in children is often attributed to neurological deficits.
  • Persistent or unexplained dysphagia warrants a thorough diagnostic workup.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient presented with a prolonged history of dysphagia.
  • Initial assessments suggested neurological impairment as the cause.

Findings:

  • A large esophageal foreign body was identified as the underlying cause of dysphagia.
  • The foreign body had a central lumen, permitting passage of liquids and semisolids, thus evading detection for five years.

Implications:

  • Esophageal foreign bodies should be a key consideration in the differential diagnosis of pediatric dysphagia.
  • Advanced imaging may be crucial for identifying radiopaque or partially obscured foreign bodies.

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