Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

A neglected foreign body in the oesophagus

S Chadha1, P Sardana, J K Sahni

  • 1Department, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India.

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India
|November 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body ingestion in children is an emergency. A delayed diagnosis of an esophageal foreign body in a child led to a 6-year delay before treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency.
  • Timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial for minimizing complications.
  • Neglected foreign bodies can lead to significant long-term issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of a foreign body retained in the esophagus for an extended period.
  • To highlight the challenges in diagnosing and managing neglected esophageal foreign bodies in children.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering prolonged foreign body retention in pediatric patients with persistent symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a pediatric patient with a neglected esophageal foreign body.
  • Review of diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies employed.
  • Discussion of the clinical presentation and management challenges.

Main Results:

  • A foreign body was retained in the esophagus of a child for six years.
  • Diagnosis was significantly delayed due to the chronic nature of the presentation.
  • Successful removal of the foreign body and resolution of symptoms were achieved.

Conclusions:

  • Delayed diagnosis of esophageal foreign bodies in children can occur.
  • Persistent gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms in children should prompt investigation for retained foreign bodies.
  • Prompt management of foreign body ingestion is essential to prevent long-term complications.

More Related Videos

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation03:58

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

Published on: August 2, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction01:22

Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction

Esophageal perforation is a severe medical condition characterized by a breach in the integrity of the esophageal wall. This breach can occur due to various factors such as trauma, medical procedures, or underlying diseases. When the esophageal wall is compromised, it allows food, fluids, and digestive juices into the chest cavity or adjacent structures, leading to potential complications and health risks.
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus.
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Pyloric Obstruction01:11

Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:28

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations: