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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Oesophagus obstruction due to ingestion of multiple foreign bodies
Sevdegul Karadas1, Muhammet Bilal Cegin2, Fuat Sayir3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, , Yuzuncu Yil University, School of Medicine, Van, Turkey.
Insights
Foreign body ingestion is a serious condition, especially in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Most objects pass naturally, but esophageal impaction requires urgent endoscopic or surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency.
- Risk factors include age (6 months to 6 years), psychiatric disorders, and substance abuse.
- Most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract.
Observation:
- This study presents a case of multiple foreign body ingestions.
- The abstract highlights the need for urgent intervention when foreign bodies impact the esophagus.
- It also reviews the literature on foreign body ingestion.
Findings:
- The majority of ingested foreign bodies do not require intervention.
- Esophageal foreign bodies necessitate immediate endoscopic or surgical treatment.
- The study emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and management.
Implications:
- Understanding risk factors and common presentations aids in early diagnosis.
- Timely endoscopic or surgical intervention can prevent serious complications.
- This case report and literature review contribute to the clinical knowledge base for managing foreign body ingestion.
Abstract:
The ingestion of a foreign body (FB) is a potentially serious condition. In children, the most common years for FB ingestion are from the age of 6 months to 6 years. FB ingestion also occurs in those with psychiatric disorders or mental retardation and among adult prisoners and alcoholics. Most ingested FBs spontaneously pass out of the body via the gastrointestinal system. An endoscopic or surgical approach is only needed if the object fails to progress through the gastrointestinal tract. All objects impacted in the oesophagus require urgent treatment. This study reports a case of multiple FB ingestion and provides a literature review.
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