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A case of battery ingestion in a pediatric patient: what is its importance?

Elie Alam1, Marc Mourad1, Samir Akel2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon.

Case Reports in Pediatrics
|February 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

A button battery lodged in the esophagus caused severe symptoms in a toddler. Early identification and removal of esophageal foreign bodies are crucial to prevent serious complications and major surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Food regurgitation and vomiting are common symptoms in children, often attributed to gastroesophageal reflux disease.
  • Delayed diagnosis of esophageal foreign bodies can lead to significant morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of a two-year-old boy with prolonged vomiting due to an esophageal button battery.
  • To highlight the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in pediatric vomiting cases.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation review of a two-year-old boy with persistent vomiting.
  • Diagnostic imaging including chest X-ray to identify the foreign body.
  • Surgical removal of the esophageal button battery via thoracotomy after failed esophagoscopy.

Main Results:

  • A button battery was identified as the cause of the patient's symptoms.
  • Esophagoscopy was unsuccessful in removing the button battery.
  • Thoracotomy was required for successful button battery removal.

Conclusions:

  • Button battery ingestion can mimic gastroesophageal reflux disease, leading to diagnostic delays.
  • Prompt diagnosis and removal of esophageal foreign bodies are essential to avoid severe complications.
  • This case underscores the need for a high index of suspicion for foreign body ingestion in pediatric vomiting.

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