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Causes of esophageal food bolus impaction in the pediatric population

Lincoln O Diniz1, Alexander J Towbin

  • 1Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ML 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric esophageal food bolus impaction is often linked to eosinophilic esophagitis or prior esophageal surgery. These findings aid in understanding the causes of this rare condition in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Radiology
  • Esophageal Disorders

Background:

  • Esophageal food bolus impaction is a rare condition in children, presenting with sudden dysphagia, pain, and vomiting.
  • Causes in pediatric patients differ from adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of various causes of food impaction in children.
  • To analyze findings from esophagram or upper GI examinations.

Main Methods:

  • Radiology reports from 1993-2009 were searched for esophageal food bolus impaction diagnoses.
  • Pediatric radiologists reviewed esophagrams to locate filling defects.
  • Electronic medical records were queried for patient demographics and associated abnormalities.

Main Results:

  • 43 pediatric patients with impacted food bolus identified.
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (53%) was the most common abnormality.
  • Prior esophageal atresia repair (26%) and Nissen fundoplication (12%) were also significant causes.

Conclusions:

  • Eosinophilic esophagitis is the primary associated abnormality in pediatric food bolus impaction.
  • Narrowing from prior esophageal surgery is another key factor.
  • Understanding these causes is crucial for pediatric esophageal care.
Abstract

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