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Tension pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema during retrieval of an ingested lithium button battery

Tariq Parray1, Saif M Siddiqui, Melissa Hughes

  • 1Division of Pediatric Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1 Children's Way, Slot 203, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA. parraytariq@uams.edu

Journal of Anesthesia
|March 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A child ingested a lithium battery, causing esophageal perforation and mediastinal injury. Rare complications, including tension pneumothorax, arose during retrieval, leading to mediastinitis and a complex recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Esophageal perforation is a critical condition often resulting from foreign body ingestion.
  • Lithium battery ingestion poses unique risks due to corrosive injury potential.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case involving esophageal perforation and mediastinal injury secondary to lithium battery ingestion.
  • Complications during endoscopic retrieval included subcutaneous emphysema, tension pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum due to excessive air insufflation.

Findings:

  • The patient developed mediastinitis following the initial injury and iatrogenic complications.
  • The case highlights the potential for rare, life-threatening events during foreign body removal procedures.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the need for careful endoscopic techniques and prompt management of airway complications in pediatric foreign body ingestion.
  • Highlights the severe consequences of esophageal battery ingestion and the importance of timely intervention.

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