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Expansile Superabsorbent Polymer Ball Foreign Body in the Ear
Sriram Ramgopal1, Vaibhav H Ramprasad2, Mioara D Manole1
1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|April 22, 2019
Summary
Small superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), often found in children's toys, pose a risk when inserted into the ear. Emergency physicians should be aware of proper removal techniques to avoid complications like tympanic membrane perforation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are highly absorbent materials commonly found in children's toys.
- Small, spherical SAPs present a unique foreign body risk when placed in pediatric orifices.
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