[A case of magnetic pharyngeal foreign body in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric emergency medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Foreign body ingestions

Context:

• Ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies is a growing concern in pediatric emergency care.
• Most cases involve the gastrointestinal tract, but complications like perforation and fistula arise with multiple magnet ingestions.
• Magnetic foreign bodies commonly originate from toys, with rare occurrences in the hypopharynx due to their shape.

Purpose:

• To highlight the increasing incidence of magnetic foreign body ingestions in children.
• To emphasize the significant risk of gastrointestinal injury, including perforation and fistula, associated with multiple magnet ingestions.
• To report a rare case of a magnetic foreign body lodged in the pediatric hypopharynx.

Summary:

• Magnetic foreign body ingestions are on the rise in pediatric emergency settings.
• Multiple magnets ingested pose a severe risk of bowel injury, necessitating early assessment and intervention.
• While typically found in the GI tract, this case presents a rare instance of a magnetic foreign body in the hypopharynx.

Impact:

• Increased awareness of the risks associated with pediatric magnetic foreign body ingestions.
• Improved diagnostic and management strategies for gastrointestinal and hypopharyngeal foreign bodies.
• Reduced morbidity and mortality from severe complications like bowel perforation and fistula.