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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract and anorectal emergencies
Kenton L Anderson1, Anthony J Dean
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX 78236, USA. kentonlanderson@gmail.com
Of all ingested foreign bodies (FBs) brought to the attention of physicians (probably a small minority of the total), 80% to 90% pass spontaneously; however, 10% to 20% require endoscopic removal, and about 1% require surgery. The article divides the GI tract into regions in which the anatomy, presentation, clinical findings, and management of FBs are distinct. The final third of this article describes the management of anorectal emergencies. An understanding of anatomy and common pathological conditions allows the emergency physician to make a diagnosis and provide relief and/or resolution in most cases.
Of all ingested foreign bodies (FBs) brought to the attention of physicians (probably a small minority of the total), 80% to 90% pass spontaneously; however, 10% to 20% require endoscopic removal, and about 1% require surgery. The article divides the GI tract into regions in which the anatomy, presentation, clinical findings, and management of FBs are distinct. The final third of this article describes the management of anorectal emergencies. An understanding of anatomy and common pathological conditions allows the emergency physician to make a diagnosis and provide relief and/or resolution in most cases.
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