Radiological features of ingested metallic mesh earphone pieces

Foreign body ingestion remains a frequent cause of morbidity in infants and children. Symptoms vary with size, shape, location and composition of the foreign body. Flat objects tend to rotate to the greatest diameter of the esophageal lumen and become oriented in the coronal plane. We report two cases of ingested metallic mesh earphone pieces found in the upper esophagus. The foreign bodies were difficult to identify on posteroanterior images, but were more easily visualized on the lateral images. The presentation of this clinical entity and the recognition of its distinctive radiological findings may prevent a delayed diagnosis in the future and avoid potential complications.